Agenda Profile: Pipi-Liis Siemann
First Reading of the Draft Act (412 SE) on Amendments to the Riigikogu Election Act (Obtaining a Compensatory Mandate Based on the Number of Votes Cast for the Candidate)
2024-09-10
15th Riigikogu, 4th sitting, plenary sitting
Political Position
Moderate opposition to Bill 412 SE, which addresses the calculation of compensatory mandates based on absolute vote totals. The stance taken is policy-driven and cautious, emphasizing that while the electoral law requires modernization, the current system is old, familiar, and functional in practice. Support for rejecting the bill was based primarily on the argument that calculating mandates using absolute numbers might not establish the fairest system, given the varying sizes of the electoral districts.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
Strong expertise in electoral law and constitutional procedure. Technical details are addressed, such as the comparability of absolute votes in electoral districts of different sizes and the principle of proportionality, referring to the possibility of linking the results to a simple quota. Based on the expert opinions of the Ministry of Justice and Arne Koitmäe, the head of the State Electoral Service.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetoric is highly formal, analytical, and objective, focusing on the communication of the committee's discussion and decisions. The tone is neutral and procedural, avoiding emotional appeals, relying instead on logical argumentation and expert observations. The speaker's role is that of a rapporteur, who conveys the majority position of the committee.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The primary mode of operation is associated with the work of the legislative committee, serving as the rapporteur of the Constitutional Committee at the Riigikogu plenary session. A specific committee meeting (June 4) and the communication of procedural decisions are described, thereby fulfilling the role of rapporteur.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The criticism is aimed at the technical deficiencies of Draft Bill 412 SE, particularly concerning the comparability of absolute votes across districts of varying sizes. The Speaker also reports on dissenting votes within the committee (Isamaa, EKRE), whose members felt that the election law needed to be supplemented and modernized, despite their opposition to the current draft bill.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The collaborative approach is open to the involvement of experts (Ministry of Justice, Electoral Service) and internal committee discussion, during which both arguments for and against were presented. The final decision to reject the draft bill was made by majority vote (4 in favor, 2 against), even though placing the item on the agenda had been a consensus decision.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is purely national, concentrating on the system of Riigikogu (Estonian Parliament) elections and the effect of the size of electoral districts on the proportionality of voting results. Specific regions are not highlighted; instead, the analysis examines the impact of district size on the absolute number of votes received by candidates.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Not enough data
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Not enough data
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The main legislative focus is the amendment and streamlining of the Election Act (specifically, the Riigikogu Election Act). The speaker in question is the rapporteur for the Constitutional Committee, who is conveying the committee's recommendation to reject Bill 412 SE, despite acknowledging the broader necessity for an overhaul of the electoral system.
2 Speeches Analyzed