Session Profile: Evelin Poolamets
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
2024-10-22
Political Position
The political position is two-pronged: strong support for a temporary solidarity levy on the banking sector, aimed at channeling extraordinary profits back to the public, while simultaneously maintaining fierce opposition to mandatory sustainability reporting. The latter is viewed as a source of immense bureaucracy and costs that ultimately harm business and entrepreneurship. This opposition is framed on a values-based foundation, highlighting concerns regarding sovereignty and free-market principles during the transposition of European Union directives.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in financial regulation (specifically the solidarity tax and Euribor linkages) and the administrative burden placed on businesses. Concrete data and statistics are utilized, providing detailed cost estimates related to sustainability reporting—for instance, €50,000 for the cost of a new position and €30,000 for the audit cost. Furthermore, detailed knowledge is presented regarding the complexity of auditing social impacts and the requirements for the proportionality of fine rates under customs law.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is formal, but it becomes extremely critical and combative when expressing opposition. Strong imagery is used, such as "tsunami of massive bureaucracy" and "absurd requirements," emphasizing both logical appeals (costs) and emotional appeals (injustice). In the lengthy speech, entrepreneurs watching the broadcast are addressed directly to explain the negative impact of the new requirements.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
Patterns of activity indicate active participation in the plenary session on a single day, involving both the submission of several detailed questions to ministers and the presentation of a motion to reject a bill on behalf of the parliamentary group. This suggests a concentration on analyzing the content and impact of specific pieces of legislation during the course of the parliamentary debate.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary opposition is aimed at the draft legislation initiated by the Government of the Republic and the transposition of European Union directives, particularly concerning sustainability reporting. The criticism is policy- and procedure-based, focusing on issues of bureaucracy, costs, and sovereignty. The faction of the Estonian Conservative People’s Party proposed rejecting the draft amendment to the Accounting Act during the first reading.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker refers to a colleague's previous question, which indicates that the debate is being followed and reacted to. Significant cooperation is taking place within the faction, as the proposal to reject the draft bill is being submitted on behalf of the parliamentary group of the Conservative People's Party of Estonia. There is no data available regarding cross-party cooperation.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is on national legislative amendments (accounting and customs law) and their overall effect on the Estonian business environment. Particular attention is given to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as these new requirements disproportionately affect them. There is no specific regional or local focus.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic views are strongly pro-business, emphasizing the necessity of cutting red tape and avoiding unreasonable costs that undermine competitiveness. However, they also support a temporary solidarity tax on the banking sector to balance the extraordinary profits generated by the rise in Euribor against the principle of social equity. A warning is issued that new regulations will diminish the resources companies have available to focus on innovation.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
In the realm of social issues, sharp opposition and criticism are being voiced regarding the social aspects of sustainability reporting. Specific reporting requirements concerning gender equality, racism, and "150 social genders" are particularly criticized, with critics labeling them "absurd demands" on businesses. It is emphasized that these requirements result in a significant additional burden.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
Legislative focus is directed toward rejecting the draft amendment to the Accounting Act, initiated by the Government of the Republic, due to the significant bureaucratic burden it imposes. Furthermore, attention is being paid to ensuring the proportionality of fine rates in the Customs Act concerning SMEs. A proposal is also being made to establish an automatically triggered solidarity tax mechanism in the future, which would be tied to the Euribor level.
8 Speeches Analyzed