Session Profile: Evelin Poolamets
15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, plenary session
2025-05-14
Political Position
The political stance is strongly focused on ensuring gender balance and constitutional propriety, criticizing the Reform Party's policy inconsistency regarding the nomination of female candidates to high-ranking positions. The economic viewpoint is also significant, supporting an increase in the volume of oil shale electricity production in order to lower electricity prices. Criticism is aimed at both value-based governance (gender equality) and results-based governance (the constitutionality of the budget). Furthermore, the issue of ignoring the Chancellor of Justice’s observations is highlighted.
10 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in energy policy, citing specific data on the volume of oil shale electricity production and its effect on electricity prices (a 17% lower price). They are familiar with the speculative nature of CO2 trading and are capable of detailed analysis of the wording in draft legislation concerning gender balance and underrepresented genders, insisting on precise terminology. Furthermore, they are knowledgeable about the procedures for processing environmental permits and the risks associated with conflicts of interest (e.g., involving wind farm developers).
10 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is formal, analytical, and interrogative, repeatedly addressing the rapporteur. The tone is critical and investigative, focusing on highlighting political contradictions (gender equality) and procedural discrepancies (conflict of interest, constitutionality). The appeals are primarily logical and procedural, emphasizing the precise correspondence between the content of the bill and the explanatory memorandum.
10 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker was highly active during the plenary sessions of the Riigikogu, raising ten questions and comments over the course of two days (May 14 and 15) concerning various bills and topics. These questions were posed in rapid succession, which points to active engagement in the debates and thorough substantive scrutiny of the proposed legislation.
10 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main criticism is directed at the Reform Party, citing the discrepancy in their gender equality policy and their practice of nominating only male candidates for high-ranking positions. The government's actions are also under fire for ignoring the Chancellor of Justice's warnings about the unconstitutionality of the state budget. The criticism is policy- and procedure-based, and it also uses behavioral incidents involving well-known figures (Taavi Rõivas) to provide context for the draft legislation.
10 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker's style is aimed at questioning the rapporteur and holding them accountable. We can observe reliance on the questions posed by previous speakers (e.g., Reili Rand's question), which suggests a continuation of themes raised by other colleagues. There is no direct reference to cross-party cooperation or a willingness to compromise.
10 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The regional focus is on energy production, highlighting the crucial role of oil shale electricity in keeping power prices stable here in the region. This indicates concern about both the regional economy and the cost of electricity for consumers.
10 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic perspectives emphasize the necessity of lowering electricity prices, advocating for the abolition of the mandatory purchase of CO2 allowances and the scaling up of oil shale power generation. The stance on CO2 trading is critical, viewing it as a speculative financial instrument that fails to achieve the goal of environmental preservation; instead, it merely enables wealthy nations to purchase emission rights.
10 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
In the social sector, emphasis is placed on the importance of gender balance in leadership positions, criticizing the underrepresentation of women and linking it to a lack of media control (the mockery of motherhood and large families on ETV). Furthermore, a broader definition of gender balance is being demanded in draft legislation—one that considers other genders in addition to men and women—while criticizing the narrow interpretation of the current bill.
10 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is currently directed towards environmental regulations (specifically, the designation of compensation and mitigation zones, and conflicts of interest in wind farm development), energy policy, and the precise wording of draft legislation concerning gender balance. The speaker primarily operates as a critical watchdog, raising suspicions about conflicts of interest and questioning the connection between draft laws and high-profile misconduct cases (such as that involving Taavi Rõivas).
10 Speeches Analyzed