Session Profile: Evelin Poolamets
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
2025-05-07
Political Position
The political position is strongly opposed to the government's green transition ideology and the related draft legislation (Bill 541) that accelerates the adoption of renewable energy. The criticism is leveled on both value-based grounds (the protection of rural life and communities) and political grounds (the restriction of local government rights). The speaker asserts that these decisions are being made in the interest of ideology and a narrow business clique, rather than in the interest of the Estonian people.
11 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in the field of energy policy and economics, criticizing the operation of the Nord Pool exchange, the costs of grid investments, and the methodology for connection fees. Knowledge concerning the processing of special spatial plans by local governments and the specific environmental impacts of wind farms (infrasound, shadow flicker, bird migration) is also highlighted. Questions are raised regarding Article 154 of the Constitution and the regulation of unemployment insurance benefits.
11 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is highly combative, emotional, and accusatory, employing strong ideological language ("green ideology," "electricity production colony"). It appeals directly to the concerns and experiences of rural residents, combining these appeals with technical and economic arguments to demonstrate the illogic and unfairness of the proposed bill. Opponents are directly accused of lying and "talking nonsense."
11 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker's activity patterns indicate a focus on bill debates during the Riigikogu plenary sessions, delivering both lengthy opposition speeches and posing several pointed questions to presenters and ministers. Personal visits to rural areas are also mentioned, undertaken to understand the concerns of local residents.
11 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponents are the Reform Party and the government, who are accused of making decisions in the interests of the European Union’s green policy and big businessmen, rather than in the name of the people. The criticism is intense, accusing the opposing side of lying, ridiculing the people, and writing the draft bill at the behest of manufacturers. Compromise is ruled out, with calls to suspend the reading of the draft bill.
11 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The willingness to cooperate is absent; the speaker urges a vote in favor of halting the second reading of the bill, which signals uncompromising opposition to the legislation put forward by the government.
11 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The strong regional focus is on protecting rural areas and local communities, emphasizing that wind farms are being built precisely where people live whose voices do not reach Toompea. The municipalities of Põlva, Saarde, Hiiumaa, Lüganuse, Vändra, and Põltsamaa are specifically mentioned, stressing that the green transition is occurring at the expense of their quality of life.
11 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The economic platform is strongly consumer-centric and highly critical of state subsidies provided to "green profiteers" and network operators. They emphasize the necessity of lowering electricity prices (for example, by reducing excise duty) and oppose the current system where the consumer foots the bill for all network investments and producer profits. It is believed that high electricity prices are detrimental to the competitiveness of Estonian businesses.
11 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The focus is on the social concerns of rural residents, such as the decline in quality of life, sleep issues, and health problems caused by the establishment of wind farms. The topic of social security is also addressed, specifically questioning the standardization of the unemployment insurance benefit amount.
11 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is currently on opposing Bill 541 (the Renewable Energy Acceleration Act), as it restricts the rights of local governments and permits the waiving of detailed site planning. Furthermore, there is interest in the draft legislation concerning the abolition of the security tax and the regulation of electricity excise duty.
11 Speeches Analyzed