Agenda Profile: Urmas Reinsalu
The Prime Minister's address for 2025 on the implementation of the long-term development strategy "Estonia 2035" (including an overview of the situation of research and development activities and the government's policy in this area).
2025-03-11
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
Political Position
The political position is strongly oppositional, focusing on the government’s eight months of failed leadership and the national crisis of confidence. Key points of emphasis are anti-economic policies, the expansion of bureaucracy, and the stalling of critical security decisions. The speaker demands the Prime Minister’s resignation and fundamentally different political leadership, ruling out joining the current government to legitimize it.
6 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise primarily in the fields of fiscal policy and national defense, citing Swedbank's analysis and the findings of the National Audit Office. Specific figures are used (e.g., 1.2% economic growth, a 155 million euro rise in government spending) alongside technical terms (e.g., loitering munition, sustainability reporting system). The speaker also possesses knowledge of energy projects, criticizing the 2.6 billion euro offshore wind farm project.
6 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is sharply critical, dramatic, and urgent, highlighting the political deadlock and the crisis of confidence. Strong phrases are employed ("a devastating diagnosis," "allow me to laugh"), and the Prime Minister is accused of lying. The style remains formal yet is emotionally charged, balancing the accusations with references to official analyses and data.
6 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is active in the parliamentary debate, posing critical questions during the Prime Minister's presentation. Recent activity is noted, such as submitting proposals to business organizations for postponing the sustainability reporting system, and presenting an alternative budget.
6 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary adversary is the ruling coalition, particularly Prime Minister Michal and the Reform Party, who stand accused of indecisiveness and exacerbating the nation's crisis of confidence. The criticism is intense, centering on political failures (tax hikes, security policy decisions, and the expansion of bureaucracy). Cooperation with the government is ruled out entirely, as it would amount to legitimizing a failed political agenda.
6 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The style of cooperation is pragmatic, but joining the government is categorically ruled out in order to maintain the ability to offer an alternative. Nevertheless, the opposition promises to goodwill support all security issues and present constructive proposals, for example, through an alternative budget.
6 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is distinctly national, covering the general state of Estonia's economy and political leadership, alongside national defense matters. Regional or local focus is not present in the addresses.
6 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic views are strongly opposed to tax increases, arguing that the government's policies are hostile to the economy and rely on unsustainable tax hikes (exceeding one billion euros). Criticism is leveled at economic growth being derived from taxation and pre-car-tax domestic consumption within the transport sector. It supports the interests of business organizations (such as the postponement of sustainability reports) and criticizes the rise in governing costs, which occurred instead of the promised reduction.
6 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Not enough data
6 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is currently centered on opposing the government’s proposed tax package and submitting an alternative budget. A key priority also involves accelerating national defense procurements (specifically the acquisition of €1.6 billion worth of ammunition) and cutting down on bureaucracy, including delaying the implementation of the sustainability reporting system.
6 Speeches Analyzed