Agenda Profile: Rain Epler
Second reading of the draft law on the 2025 state budget (513 SE)
2024-11-13
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session.
Political Position
The speaker adopts a fiercely oppositional stance, focusing on the poor performance of the government's activities and budget, particularly since 2021. Their main arguments target the failure to stabilize state finances, bureaucratic waste, and the sharp increase in the cost of living. The criticism is heavily performance-based, accusing the government of living in a "parallel world" and engaging in activities detrimental to Estonia.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates detailed knowledge of the structure of the state budget and ministerial expenditure lines, highlighting specific examples (e.g., the Ministry of Climate’s 16.5 million euro expenditure on the green reform). He/She uses economic data (transport +32%, electricity +188%, food +49%) to refute the government’s claims of real wage growth. The expertise focuses primarily on the efficiency of public administration and the size of public relations departments.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The speaker’s style is highly combative, sharp, and dramatic, employing strong contrasts (waste vs. social cuts). He uses emotional language, accusing the government of "talking black into white" and "making a complete mess of things." The rhetoric is a blend of logical data (inflation figures) and emotional appeal, emphasizing the government’s detachment from real life ("fantasy world").
5 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker has been highly active during the second reading of the state budget, appearing on multiple occasions (November 13 and 14) both to introduce substantive amendments and to demand procedural votes. He/She is actively engaged in parliamentary work, attempting to challenge the coalition through voting and disrupt the process.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main targets of criticism are the government led by Kaja Kallas (dubbed the "sunrise government"), the Minister of Finance, and Annely Akkermann, who heads the Finance Committee. The criticism is intense and accusatory, focusing on political incompetence and financial irresponsibility. The speaker shows no desire for compromise, but instead seeks to expose and obstruct the government's actions.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker is working closely with Kert Kingo, and together they submitted specific amendments aimed at cutting public relations departments. Cooperation with the coalition is non-existent; rather, the relationship is characterized by direct confrontation and procedural challenges.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The speaker is entirely focused on national issues: the state budget deficit, the administrative costs of ministries, and the nationwide rise in the cost of living. Specific regional or local topics are completely absent.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The speaker advocates for strict fiscal discipline and improving the nation's financial standing, contrasting this approach with the current trend of rising debt burdens and deficits. He is strongly opposed to bureaucracy and non-productive activities (such as environmental footprint assessments) and calls for sharp cuts in public relations expenditures. Furthermore, he stresses the negative impact of inflation and criticizes the government's claims regarding real wage growth.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The speaker addresses social issues indirectly, criticizing the government's plans to introduce a doctor's visit fee for pregnant women and children up to two years old, and to strip health insurance from mothers raising children at home. They characterize this as an unjust cut being made under the pretense of improving the financial situation.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The main legislative focus is the draft state budget law for 2025 (Bill 513 SE). The speaker is an opponent who, together with Kert Kingo, is submitting specific amendments (cutting public relations budgets by 1 million euros) and demanding a vote on them. He/She also supports the proposal to adjourn the bill's second reading.
5 Speeches Analyzed