Session Profile: Urmas Reinsalu
15th Riigikogu, extraordinary session of the Riigikogu
2025-09-04
Political Position
The political stance is fiercely oppositional, centered on resisting the government's tax hikes (car tax, VAT, excise duties) and demanding cuts to administrative spending. The key issues highlighted are national defense (specifically, the 1.6 billion euro ammunition procurement) and the crisis of the rule of law (involving the prime minister's family business and the pressuring of the Prosecutor's Office). The policy framework is primarily results-oriented (criticizing the economic downturn) and values-based (security, constitutional order), culminating in a demand for the government's resignation.
82 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates strong expertise in legislative procedures (repeatedly referencing the provisions of the Rules of Procedure Act and the rules governing legislative drafting) and in public finance (budget deficit, the tax burden as a percentage of GDP, and analysis of inflationary impacts). Arguments are supported using data from the National Audit Office, the Bank of Estonia, and various business organizations. Detailed knowledge concerning national defense ordnance requirements and the challenges facing the energy sector is also evident.
82 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is predominantly combative, critical, and insistent, employing strong expressions (e.g., "blatantly lies," "chaos in the energy sector," "deceitful election promises"). It frequently appeals to the principles of the rule of law and parliamentary procedure, accusing the governing coalition of systemic legal violations. It makes extensive use of rhetorical questions and direct addresses to the presiding officer to highlight procedural deficiencies.
82 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is very active in the Riigikogu plenary session, regularly submitting interpellations (to Prime Ministers Kallas and Michal) and initiating draft resolutions of the Riigikogu (such as for forming investigative committees or closing the border). A recurring pattern of activity is making proposals to change the agenda and raising procedural questions against the Riigikogu Board. The member also submits the work reports of the Select Committee on State Budget Control.
82 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary targets are the Reform Party-led government coalition and Prime Ministers Kaja Kallas and Kristen Michal, both of whom face accusations of lying and incompetence. The criticism is intense and multi-faceted, encompassing political decisions (tax hikes), ethical controversies (Kallas’s family business, pressure on the Prosecutor’s Office), and violations of parliamentary rules of procedure. The coalition stands accused of imposing a "dictate" and systematically curtailing the rights of the opposition.
82 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The cooperation is aimed at uniting opposition factions (e.g., joint protests against parliamentary procedures) and representing the views of interest groups (40 business organizations). Assistance is offered to the government (such as a draft bill to postpone the tax bump) in situations where the government is deemed incompetent, but the overall tone remains confrontational and the willingness to compromise is low. It calls for dialogue with the opposition and business leaders.
82 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is primarily national (Estonian economy, national defense) and international (Russia's aggression, support for Ukraine, EU lawmaking). Regional focus is absent, with the exception of the border crossing points and border area mentioned in the security context (Estonia-Russia temporary control line, Ivangorod, Gulf of Finland).
82 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The economic views strongly oppose tax hikes, arguing that they will deepen the recession and inflation (which is the highest in the EU) and simultaneously harm competitiveness. It calls for a reduction in governing costs (such as a negative supplementary budget of 300 million euros) and the postponement of the Reform Party’s planned tax increase structure. It voices the concerns of business organizations regarding the government's "economy-hostile policies" and demands tax stability.
82 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Regarding social issues, it highlights the negative impact of tax hikes on lower-income individuals, families with children, and the middle class, claiming that the Kallas/Michal policy effectively takes away a month's salary from a person earning the average wage. It also mentions concerns about a "demographic catastrophe" and opposes making family benefits more selective.
82 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
Legislative priorities include the repeal of taxes (the annulment of the Motor Vehicle Tax Act), directing national defense funding (a plan for €1.6 billion in defense procurement), and increasing budget transparency (bringing the State Budget Act into compliance with the Constitution). It repeatedly initiates the formation of investigative committees to examine the government's activities (e.g., the Eastern transport business scandal, the prosecutor's office crisis, and the energy chaos).
82 Speeches Analyzed