Session Profile: Urmas Reinsalu
Fifteenth Riigikogu, sixth sitting, plenary sitting.
2025-09-16
Political Position
Strong opposition to the Reform Party government, centered on protecting freedoms and privacy, and upholding the principles of the rule of law. It demands a constitutionally compliant state budget and is firmly opposed to retroactive taxation. The political platform is strongly value-based, stressing the necessity of preserving freedom.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The text demonstrates competence in constitutional law, legislative processes, and the European Union legal framework. It employs specific terminology (e.g., retroactive taxation, super database, bank secrecy) and references the expertise of the Chancellor of Justice and the Auditor General. Furthermore, it exhibits knowledge concerning the volume and substance of the crisis regulation bills.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is combative, urgent, and sharply critical of the government. Strong and emotional language is employed ("thought crimes," "deafening silence"), while simultaneously relying on legal and constitutional arguments. The tone is accusatory and demands political accountability.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
Speeches were delivered during the plenary session, which included questions directed to the Chancellor of Justice and participation in the debate. Reference was also made to the parliament's upcoming discussions ("to discuss tomorrow") and to previous events, such as the President's refusal to proclaim [a law] and the joint sitting of the committees.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponent is the Reform Party government, which is sharply criticized for the curtailment of freedoms, constitutional violations, and excessive bureaucracy. The criticism is intense and substantive, demanding the withdrawal of the draft legislation and promising to reverse the restrictive initiatives. The criticism targets both political accountability and the legal deficiencies of the bills.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Shows readiness for cooperation with opponents of government initiatives, including business organizations, legal experts, and civil liberties advocates. This cooperation is aimed at reversing government policy. There is no information regarding cooperation with other parliamentary factions.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is on issues concerning the national and international legal framework (the Estonian legal order, the legal space of the European Union). Issues related to African swine fever are mentioned, but without a specific regional focus.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Strongly objects to retroactive taxation (under the ETS system) and supports the protests organized by business organizations against it. It demands accountability for the breach of banking secrecy, which has led to a significant financial claim (0.25 billion euros from LHV Bank). It also criticizes the unconstitutionality of the state budget.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The central theme is the protection of individual liberties and privacy, often referencing the Anglo-American approach. There is strong opposition to the super database (which handles sensitive personal data) and the initiative to regulate "thought crimes" based on internet browsing history. They view the government's activities as the dismantling of freedom.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The primary legislative priorities include the reversal of bills that restrict civil liberties, specifically citing the centralized database, 'thought crimes' legislation, and average speed monitoring. It emphasizes the necessity of constitutionally sound state budget procedures and criticizes the excessive bureaucracy inherent in voluminous legislative proposals. The entity is an active opponent of several government initiatives.
3 Speeches Analyzed