Agenda Profile: Henn Põlluaas
First reading of the draft resolution of the Riigikogu “Establishment of a Riigikogu investigative committee to investigate circumstances related to the Rail Baltic project” (460 OE)
2024-11-07
15th Parliament, 4th sitting, plenary session
Political Position
The political stance strongly supports the formation of an investigative committee to clarify the circumstances surrounding the Rail Baltic project, as the situation is considered catastrophic. The focus is on outcome-based accountability, demanding clarity regarding why massive cost overruns and schedule deviations have occurred. A critical review of the initial feasibility study, which was built upon a "bluff," is also essential.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in the financial issues surrounding Rail Baltic, highlighting the quadrupled construction costs and massive operating expenses (500 million annually). Particular emphasis is placed on the flaws in the cost-benefit analysis, which relied on unrealistic Russian and Finnish transit volumes that have now dropped to zero.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is critical and forceful, employing strong language such as "catastrophic" to describe the situation. The appeals are primarily logical and procedural, centering on establishing responsibility, breaches of the duty of care, and issues concerning violations of the law.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker actively participates in the legislative debate during the first reading of the bill, posing repeated questions to the rapporteur. Reference is made to previous work on the Special Committee for State Budget Control and the inquiries it sent to the government.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The confrontation targets those who oppose the creation of the investigative committee, considering their justification (the State Audit Office's earlier investigation) inadequate. The criticism is procedural and centers on the avoidance of responsibility, asking why there is no interest in clarifying who is to blame for the resulting situation.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker stresses that clarifying accountability should be "in the common interests of all of us," citing the desire to achieve broad, non-partisan clarity. Nevertheless, specific cooperation partners or a readiness to compromise are not mentioned.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is squarely on the national infrastructure project Rail Baltic and its financial impact on Estonia, specifically noting Estonia's share of the operating costs (100–150 million). International aspects are addressed only in relation to the unsuccessful transit forecasts (Russian and Finnish transit).
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic perspectives emphasize the importance of fiscal discipline and project profitability, criticizing significant cost overruns and unrealistic economic forecasts. There is a demand for a comprehensive review of the economic justification and cost-benefit analysis of public investments.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Not enough data
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on supporting the draft resolution for establishing an investigative committee to launch a formal inquiry at the parliamentary level. The objective is to identify procedural errors, breaches of due diligence, and potential legal violations related to the Rail Baltic project.
2 Speeches Analyzed