By Years: Maido Ruusmann

The focus is intensely regional, particularly on alleviating the economic lag and inequality in Southeast Estonia. He/She emphasizes the necessity of directing investments outside of major growth centers and considers the paving of gravel roads to be the greatest expectation of the people of Southeast Estonia. Furthermore, he/she stresses the geopolitical importance of border regions and the need to channel EU funding towards them.

The regional focus is exceptionally strong, centering on the economic lag and security risks facing Southeast Estonia. The speaker repeatedly identifies himself as the representative for Southeast Estonia. He is demanding a special program and focused attention for the region, comparable to the treatment given to Ida-Virumaa, and suggests dividing Estonia into multiple regions for the distribution of EU support funds.