Session Profile: Evelin Poolamets
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
2025-01-14
Political Position
This political position places a strong emphasis on increasing the transparency and accountability surrounding the representation expenses of state officials, particularly those of the Chancellor of Justice and the Prosecutor General. The stance is value-driven and policy-focused, highlighting the need to build public trust and ensure the fair utilization of taxpayer funds. The speaker links this issue to broader national austerity measures, criticizing the privileged status enjoyed by high-ranking officials.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
Expertise is evident in the fields of public law and financial reporting, particularly concerning the salary and expense compensation systems for high-ranking state officials. The speaker employs technical terminology and tax concepts, such as "under-the-table pay" and tax-exempt salary supplements, to describe the deficiencies of the current system. Reference is also made to discussions held by the Constitutional Committee and the positions taken by representatives of the Ministry of Justice.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style of discourse is formal, persuasive, and critical, employing strong moral and logical appeals. The necessity of transparency is emphasized by contrasting the current secrecy with behavior characteristic of undemocratic nations. The logical argumentation is supported by comparisons between the expense compensation system for Riigikogu members and Nordic standards.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is an active legislator, having submitted a draft bill on behalf of the EKRE parliamentary group during the plenary session. The scope of activities includes participation in the sessions of the Constitutional Committee, where the same topic was addressed. The speaker is ready to answer questions and consider supplementing the draft legislation.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
Criticism is directed at the system that allows high-ranking state officials to receive undocumented salary supplements, which is considered humiliating and unfair. Skepticism is expressed regarding the support of other factions, despite the country being in a difficult economic situation. There is opposition to the secrecy and concealment characteristic of undemocratic states.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker is seeking cross-party support, citing the successful cross-factional decision to cut the expense reimbursements for Riigikogu members. While doubt has been expressed about securing this support, the speaker is open to amending the draft bill and considering the creation of independent oversight committees, modeled after those in the Nordic countries.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is clearly at the national level, addressing the regulations concerning high-ranking Estonian state officials and the activities of the Riigikogu. Internationally, emphasis is placed on the necessity of following the example set by developed democracies and the Nordic countries regarding transparency and the substantiation of expenses.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic perspectives emphasize fiscal responsibility, transparency, and identifying areas for savings within the state budget. There is criticism directed at the system that permits the payment of tax-free salary supplements, arguing that this contradicts the principles of tax efficiency and fair business practices (often comparing it to under-the-table payments). Furthermore, there is support for ensuring that public funds are spent in alignment with the public interest.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Social issues are addressed indirectly, referencing cuts to benefits for stay-at-home mothers and funding for children's extracurricular activities, in order to highlight the context of the country's difficult economic situation. Direct stances on social policy are not presented; instead, these issues are utilized as an argument for demanding financial discipline.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus centers on amending the principles for disbursing representation expenses to the Chancellor of Justice and the Prosecutor General, specifically by requiring the submission of expense documentation. The speaker is the initiator of this draft legislation put forth by the EKRE faction and supports transferring oversight authority to the Riigikogu Special Committee on Anti-Corruption.
9 Speeches Analyzed