Agenda Profile: Rain Epler
Draft law amending the State Audit Act, the Political Parties Act, and other laws (control body for political party funding) – first reading.
2025-06-04
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
Political Position
The speaker's political position is strongly anti-bureaucratic and focused on reforming the system for supervising party financing. He supports terminating the activities of the ERJK (Party Financing Supervision Committee) and transferring oversight to the National Audit Office. He sharply criticizes the current system for becoming "absurd" and a "distorting mirror," claiming it even impedes charity work and event advertising. He stresses the necessity of reducing the "yoke on the people" and cutting bureaucracy, pointing specifically to the rising tax burden.
21 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of the legislation and procedural processes governing the oversight of political party financing, highlighting numerous specific examples from recent proceedings conducted by the ERJK (Committee for the Supervision of Party Financing). They are also up-to-date on media advertising price lists and the new European Union regulation concerning political advertising. Furthermore, the speaker refers to changes in the tax burden in Estonia, citing GDP percentages.
21 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is ironic, anecdotal, and playfully combative, utilizing numerous examples and humor to underscore the absurdity of the situation. The speaker publicly submits complaints to the ERJK (for instance, against Liisa Oviir and the Riigikogu choir) to illustrate the inherent irrationality of the system. They employ both logical argumentation (the cost of bureaucracy) and emotional appeal (the penalization of charitable work).
21 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is actively presenting the draft bill in the Riigikogu chamber, answering questions and presenting their positions. They refer to recent discussions held with colleagues outside the chamber and their participation in the special committee against corruption's session concerning European political advertising.
21 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main criticism is aimed at the ERJK and its chair, Liisa Oviir, who is accused of engaging in a personal campaign and initiating ridiculous proceedings. The Reform Party is criticized for general polarization and for increasing the "yoke of the people." The criticism is directed both at the procedures (the lack of basis for the proceedings) and the motives of the individuals involved (Oviir's ambitions).
21 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker is open to cooperation and amendments, calling on coalition MPs to support the bill and improve it. He notes that even coalition politicians acknowledge the existence of the problem outside the chamber. The goal is to find a common solution that would return the matter to a "sensible course."
21 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is on national legislation, but regional examples are used for illustration. The Vana-Vigala punk festival and the Võru Song Celebration are mentioned, and reference is made to issues in Viljandi and Pärnu to demonstrate how the ERJK regulation impacts local events.
21 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The speaker advocates for reducing bureaucracy and achieving cost savings that would result from abolishing regulatory bodies. He criticizes the rising tax burden (citing 36% of GDP) and supports transparent donations (bank transfers, not "the cash-in-plastic-bags kind of thing"), while favoring broader advertising freedom for private individuals and events.
21 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Instead of focusing on social issues, the emphasis is placed on regulating political activity. Social aspects come to the fore due to ERJK preventing the promotion of charitable activities (supporting a children's hospital) and cultural events (the Song and Dance Festival).
21 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The main legislative priority is the draft bill (599 SE) amending the State Audit Office Act and the Political Parties Act, which aims to transfer the oversight of political party financing to the State Audit Office. The speaker is the initiator and a supporter of the bill, stressing the necessity of moving forward with the proposed amendments to ensure the system becomes operational.
21 Speeches Analyzed