Session Profile: Helir-Valdor Seeder
15th Estonian Parliament, 5th session, plenary session.
2025-01-22
Political Position
The political focus is directed towards ensuring the Riigikogu's rules of procedure and procedural fairness. The speaker strongly contests the session chair's interpretation regarding the right to reply, emphasizing the equal rights of individual members, including those who are non-affiliated. The position taken is strongly value-based, centered on the correct adherence to previous practice and the law.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates profound expertise in the Riigikogu's Rules of Procedure, internal working order, and procedural regulations. They specifically reference the commentaries on the Rules of Procedure Act (the "yellow book") and previous practice across all parliamentary compositions to support their argument regarding the right of reply. This expertise is evident in the details, for instance, by distinguishing the stages of bill readings within the context of the rules governing the right of reply.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is critical, direct, and argumentative, presenting a direct challenge to the presiding officer's interpretation. Although the argumentation is legal and refers to the law, emotional terms such as "false," "unjust," and "creates additional tensions" are also used to emphasize the seriousness of the situation. The speaker is formal and focuses on logical persuasion through law and precedent.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is actively participating in the plenary session, intervening in procedural disputes and demanding clarifications from the presiding officer. Beyond these substantive procedural interventions, he/she also puts forward specific scheduling proposals, such as requesting a ten-minute recess before the vote.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary contention is aimed at the presiding officer of the session, whose interpretation of the Rules of Procedure and Internal Order Act is deemed incorrect and unjust. The criticism is intense and procedural, alleging that the chair is establishing a practice that contravenes the law and is causing strain. The speaker urgently calls for a return to previous precedent.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
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2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
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2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
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2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
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2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is aimed at the proper implementation of the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act, as well as guaranteeing the rights of MPs during discussions. The speaker is primarily an advocate for procedural correctness and works to counter unfair interpretations, rather than being the initiator of specific draft bills.
2 Speeches Analyzed