Agenda Profile: Henn Põlluaas
Second Reading of the Draft Act (344 SE) on the Amendment of the Riigikogu Election Act and Related Amendment of Other Acts
2024-04-17
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary sitting
Political Position
The political position focuses strongly on the lack of security and reliability of e-elections, urgently demanding an independent international audit. The speaker believes that the system cannot be "a matter of opinion or belief," and the lack of trust from 40% of voters undermines the legitimacy of the government. He holds the view that the e-voting experiment in Estonia should be terminated, as it is excessively risky and uncontrollable.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates in-depth knowledge of the security risks and verifiability issues associated with e-voting, consistently citing monitoring reports from the OSCE and OECD. He uses technical terminology such as international accreditation and validation and provides comparative examples of e-election policies from other countries (Switzerland, Kenya). He stresses that audits have identified an extremely large number of diverse risks within the system.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is extremely combative, accusatory, and forceful, utilizing strong expressions (e.g., "blatant lie," "pathetic answers," "nonsense"). The speaker relies on logical arguments and demands for evidence, referencing data and international reports, but delivers this content with great emotional intensity. They accuse the opposing side of lying and avoiding honest scrutiny.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker's activity profile is limited to participating in the Riigikogu session, where he asks repetitive questions and delivers a longer speech during the second reading of Bill 344 SE. He focuses on criticizing the rapporteur's answers and demanding that the committee raise the question of an audit.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary confrontation is directed against the Reform Party government and the Chairman of the Constitutional Committee, who are being criticized for canceling the international audit and presenting false claims regarding the security of e-elections. The criticism is intense and accusatory, implying that the system's lack of oversight benefits someone, and that the government is not interested in proving its integrity. The specific opponent is Terras, whose statements concerning the OECD are being labeled a "blatant lie."
3 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
No desire for cooperation is expressed; the speaker adopts a demanding and confrontational position, focusing instead on criticizing the inaction of the government and the commission. The text mentions the previous EKRE government (alongside Isamaa and the Centre Party), which initiated an audit of e-voting, referencing earlier coalition efforts to increase public trust.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is clearly on the national level (the Estonian electoral system) and international comparisons, highlighting the positions of international organizations (OSCE, OECD). Estonia's situation is negatively compared to other countries, such as Switzerland and Kenya, which have rejected e-voting due to security risks.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Insufficient data.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Insufficient Data
3 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
Legislative attention is focused on opposing the draft amendment to the Riigikogu Election Act (Bill 344 SE), utilizing this opposition as a platform to highlight the flaws in the e-voting system. The speaker calls for legislative action that would guarantee the system's trustworthiness, either by conducting an international audit or by abolishing e-voting entirely.
3 Speeches Analyzed