Session Profile: Evelin Poolamets
15th Estonian Parliament, 4th session, plenary sitting
2024-12-04
Political Position
The political stance expresses strong opposition to the current draft amendment of the Waste and Packaging Act, even though the goal of environmental protection is considered noble and necessary. This position is aimed at criticizing the implementation of the policy, stressing the rushed nature of the draft and its negative impact on the business environment and the economy. The speaker warns that the legislation will cause more harm than good, jeopardizing businesses and overburdening local municipalities.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise on the topics of waste management, the extension of producer responsibility, and the associated administrative and financial burden. Technical terminology is employed (waste storage guarantees, digital consignment notes), and reference is made to impact analysis data, highlighting that these costs could amount to up to 5% of the annual turnover for smaller enterprises. Specific emphasis is placed on the lack of supervision mechanisms concerning foreign companies.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The speaker adopts a critical and insistent style, focusing on logical arguments regarding economic and administrative consequences. Rhetorical questions are employed to underscore the deficiencies of the draft bill and urge a more balanced approach. The tone remains formal and analytical, stressing the danger posed to the business environment and public well-being.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The records show participation in the debate on the draft bill at the plenary session, where both questions were posed to the rapporteur and a long critical speech was delivered. The speaker requested three minutes of additional time to thoroughly explain his/her positions.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The criticism is aimed at the authors of the draft bill and the committee’s rapporteur, who failed to answer simple questions or analyze the impact on SMEs. The opposition targets both the substance of the policy and the procedural rushing, which harms the business environment and creates unfair competition for local entrepreneurs. There is no mention of the possibility of a compromise regarding the draft bill in its current form; instead, they are urged to take a step back.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
There is no information regarding cooperation, but the speaker appeals to colleagues to consider rejecting the bill, emphasizing its negative consequences. There are no indications of cross-party cooperation or a willingness to compromise with the bill's proponents.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The regional focus is directed toward rural areas and small municipalities, highlighting their vulnerability and insufficient resources for coping with new waste management requirements. Specific mention is made of harder-to-access rural regions, where local governments are assigned an additional burden without clear funding.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The economic views strongly support entrepreneurship, emphasizing the need to protect small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from excessive financial and administrative burdens. Warnings are issued against a potential decline in competitiveness and job losses if environmental protection is pursued at the cost of destroying the economy. Furthermore, the necessity of ensuring fair competition between local and foreign producers is underscored.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
There is not enough data.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is currently centered on opposing the proposed amendment to the Waste and Packaging Act, primarily because it poses a threat to the business environment and places an undue burden on local municipalities. The speaker is a staunch opponent of this draft, demanding its immediate withdrawal and the preparation of a new, more realistic, and balanced proposal that incorporates necessary mitigating measures.
3 Speeches Analyzed