Session Profile: Marek Reinaas
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
2025-05-07
Political Position
The political focus is on lowering electricity prices for consumers, which is considered an absolutely vital goal. There is support for simplifying regulations and making auctions more effective to ensure cheaper energy. The positions taken are strongly policy- and results-driven, emphasizing the need to consider the price component alongside security of supply (for example, regarding Elering's obligations).
3 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates strong expertise in the fields of energy and the electricity market, focusing specifically on pricing, regulations, and auction procedures. Technical terminology (megawatt-hour, terawatt) is utilized, and arguments are supported by relying on specific figures and historical data (e.g., August 2022 prices). Furthermore, he/she holds an authoritative position regarding legislative procedures as the Chairman of the Economic Committee.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is dual: analytical and procedural on the topic of legislation, acknowledging procedural errors. However, when engaging with opponents, the style is sharp and confrontational, repeatedly emphasizing the opponent’s mathematical incompetence and numerical errors. Appeals are primarily logical and data-driven, stressing that "mathematics is not bad" and "numbers generally do not lie."
3 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is active in plenary sessions, participating in energy-themed debates and responding directly to the opposition. His pattern of activity is characterized by his role as Chair of the Economic Affairs Committee, which involves leading the discussion of draft legislation, organizing stakeholder engagement, and adopting decisions (for instance, suspending the reading).
3 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main criticism is directed at Urmas Reinsalu and the Isamaa party, accusing them of emphasizing irrelevant topics (VAT) and making mathematical errors. The attacks are intense and focus on the opponent's lack of logic and numerical competence, often contrasting their current stance with historically high electricity prices that occurred while Isamaa was in government. The speed and quality of the ministry's bill processing are also being criticized.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker demonstrates a readiness for compromise and engagement in the legislative process by choosing to suspend the reading in the Economic Affairs Committee. This decision was made to allow time for market participants and members of parliament to improve the draft bill. The speaker also referred supportively to colleague Mario Kadastik, noting that his explanations regarding the figures and logic were sound.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is national, centered on the Estonian electricity market, consumers, and domestic regulations. There are no specific regional or local issues; the emphasis is strictly on nationwide energy policy.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic perspectives stress the importance of market functionality and simplifying regulations for producers, aiming to achieve lower electricity prices for consumers. They view the actual electricity supply on the market as a more significant price driver than taxation (specifically VAT), thus supporting market-driven solutions. The ultimate objective is to guarantee the lowest possible energy costs for consumers.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Not enough data
3 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on simplifying and making the electricity market auction procedures more efficient in order to lower the price of electricity. The speaker is a strong supporter of the bill’s objective but emphasizes the quality of lawmaking. As the Chairman of the Economic Affairs Committee, they are leading the process and advocating for improvements, supporting the suspension of the reading to allow for the bill’s refinement.
3 Speeches Analyzed