Agenda Profile: Henn Põlluaas
First reading of the Draft Decision of the Riigikogu (322 OE) "Making a Proposal to the Government of the Republic to Prepare a Comprehensive National Defence Development Vision Extending up to the Year 2045 and a New Extraordinary National Defence Development Plan Deriving from It, Extending up to the Year 2034"
2024-03-13
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary sitting.
Political Position
The political position heavily focuses on deficiencies in national defense and the necessity of resisting foreign aggression under all circumstances. The speaker urgently calls for a needs-based development plan and criticizes previous governments (including the 2021 plan) for inadequate preparation. This stance is strongly security-oriented and demands swift action, stressing that EKRE had already previously insisted on adding a clause regarding resistance to aggression into the fundamentals of security policy.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates authority in the field of national defense planning and documentation, referencing specific development plans (2021) and the foundational documents of security policy (2019, 2023). He addresses specific defense capability gaps, such as the lack of landmines and the necessity of a permanent allied presence, and proposes a concrete funding method (a national defense loan). He also refers to specific details, such as Switzerland’s offer concerning 60 Leopard tanks.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is urgent and critical, emphasizing the historical imperative (the War of Independence) and the danger inherent in the current situation. The speaker employs logical arguments based on the past mistakes and deficiencies of the government and military leadership, while maintaining formal and detailed language. The tone is concerned and accusatory, particularly regarding the government's alleged unwillingness to defend the state.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The pattern of activity indicates participation in the Riigikogu session during the first reading of a specific draft National Defence Development Plan. The speaker emphasizes his party's (EKRE) long-standing and consistent demand for increasing the defense budget and securing a national defense loan. No other patterns of activity were observed.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary criticism targets the government and the military leadership, who are accused of lacking sufficient resolve, foresight, and making irrational decisions (such as refusing landmines and Leopard tanks). The criticism is rooted in policy and procedure, focusing specifically on the removal of key provisions from security documents and the inadequacy of the previous development plan (2021).
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker emphasizes the necessity of achieving consensus regarding the National Defence Development Plan, citing the already established consensus on increasing the defense budget as a positive example. He/She expresses hope that all political parties will support the needs-based draft development plan currently on the table. The emphasis on cooperation is directed towards achieving the common goal of national security.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is exclusively on national security and the international threat landscape, particularly concerning Russia's aggression and the requirement for a persistent presence of allied units in Estonia. There is no regional focus; attention is directed solely toward Estonia's national defense capability.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic perspectives are directly linked to the financing of national defense, where taking out a national defense loan is being called for in order to procure the necessary equipment immediately and quickly. The speaker argues that defense expenditures cannot be adequately covered by taxes accumulated over years, thus prioritizing the speed of ensuring security over traditional budgetary discipline.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Not enough data
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is currently on Riigikogu draft resolution 322 OE, which calls for the preparation of a comprehensive and needs-based national defense development vision extending until 2045, as well as a new extraordinary development plan. The speaker is a strong proponent of this initiative, stressing that it must address the current significant capability gaps and be commensurate with actual threats.
2 Speeches Analyzed