Session Profile: Urmas Reinsalu
15th Riigikogu, 4th sitting, plenary session
2024-09-25
Political Position
The political stance is one of strong opposition to Kristen Michal’s government, centered on criticizing the administration’s incompetence and failure to deliver on promises. Key issues highlighted are the absence of a comprehensive energy policy and the extensive growth of bureaucracy, which places an irresponsible burden on society. Isamaa bases its policy formation primarily on an economic perspective and ensuring supply security. The political framework is strongly results-oriented, criticizing the government’s inability to make critical decisions (for example, concerning long-range ammunition).
4 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates deep expertise on the topics of energy and administrative burden, using specific data and analytical assessments. Assessments from Eesti Energia regarding the electricity net price (110–120 euros) are cited, along with analyses from the Ministry of Climate concerning the irrationality of subsidizing offshore wind farms. Specific financial figures are used (2.6 billion euros for subsidies, 100 million euros in additional burden), and the growth of bureaucracy is quantified (up to 400 new jobs in the private sector and nearly 100 in the public sector).
4 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is combative, urgent, and sharply critical, accusing the government of irresponsibility and hypocrisy. Logical arguments are employed, backed by specific figures and analytical assessments, to underscore the low substantive quality of the government's decisions. Figurative expressions are used (e.g., "the rooster was in the Garden of Gethsemane" and "stone upon stone"), along with rhetorical questions aimed at exposing the government's broken promises.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
Active participant in Riigikogu plenary sessions, focusing on the critical analysis of key legislative drafts (energy, security). Reference is made to intensive work within the National Defence Committee and participation in the coordination rounds for draft legislation. The speaker reacts quickly to new government plans (e.g., the expedited preparation for the introduction of a frequency fee).
4 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary opponents are the government coalition and the Ministry of Climate, both of whom face sharp criticism regarding the quality of their political decisions and the increase in administrative burden. The criticism is twofold: substantive (concerning deficiencies in energy policy) and procedural (involving the ignoring of expert opinions and the nominal quality of the debate). The opposition is intense and principled, leading directly to the refusal to support the draft legislation.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Cooperation is primarily sought with business organizations and professional associations, whose expertise the government disregarded when drafting the legislation. [The party] expresses readiness to cooperate with the opposition to block the climate law. Cooperation with the government is ruled out because Isamaa’s comprehensive plan was voted down in the spring.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is at the national level, addressing Estonia's security of supply, economic competitiveness, and the administrative burden on both the state and local government levels. It is emphasized that energy policy must ensure a regionally competitive electricity price for the Estonian people and economy.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The economic platform is strongly opposed to tax hikes and new fees (such as the frequency fee and the reserve capacity fee), arguing that these measures undermine the economy's competitiveness and people’s financial stability. It criticizes the government for increasing administrative costs by hiring new officials instead of focusing on streamlining operations. Furthermore, it defends the interests of the private sector against excessive bureaucracy that necessitates the hiring of hundreds of new employees.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Insufficient data
4 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on opposing two significant draft bills: the draft bill concerning the faster entry of energy market capacities onto the market, and the draft law for the transposition of the directive regarding the security of vital services. In both instances, the role adopted is that of the challenger, based on substantive and administrative criticism. Furthermore, emphasis is placed on the necessity of addressing Isamaa's comprehensive energy plan, which was voted down by the government.
4 Speeches Analyzed