Agenda Profile: Rain Epler
Draft law amending the Accounting Act (600 SE) – third reading
2025-06-19
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
Political Position
The political position is strongly results-oriented and critical, accusing the government (the Reform Party) of lying about reducing bureaucracy and only correcting its past mistakes due to external pressure (Ursula/EU). It strongly opposes new regulations, such as the felling restrictions under the Nature Conservation Act and the previous mandatory ESG reporting. Its framework is oppositional, emphasizing the government’s incompetence and dishonesty.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise on the topics handled by the Economic and Environmental Committee, citing previous discussions regarding the obligation of ESG reporting and the specifics of the draft of the new Nature Conservation Act. He/She uses specific examples of bureaucracy creation (felling restrictions imposed through regulations) and refers to his/her previous activity on the Economic Committee.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is combative, direct, and accusatory, employing strong language (e.g., "lied to you," "you clean up your own mess") and emphasizing the contradiction of official claims. It relies more on concrete legislative examples and political hypocrisy than on emotional appeals. The speech is formal, yet sharply critical in content.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker points to active participation in the meetings of both the Economic and Environmental Committees, where they presented criticism and posed questions to officials. They highlight their previous personal intervention in the Economic Committee regarding ESG reporting. Other patterns of activity (such as frequency of speaking or travel) are not specified.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary adversaries are the Reform Party and its representatives (Õnne Pillak, Andres Sutt). The criticism is intense, focusing on political dishonesty ("they lied to you") and the creation of bureaucracy that they are now attempting to eliminate only due to the initiative of others. He/She accuses the opponents of being forced to rectify their previous errors only after external (EU) pressure arose.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker notes that the Reform Party has begun supporting Isamaa’s bill aimed at reducing ESG reporting, thereby highlighting the political initiative taken by other parties (Isamaa). The speaker does not mention any direct cooperation or willingness to compromise on their own part; rather, the emphasis is placed on the opposing side’s reactivity.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is on national legislation (the Nature Conservation Act, the Accounting Act) and international policy (the Ursula/EU impact on ESG reporting). Specific regional topics are not addressed, even though the example concerning forest felling directly affects property owners.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The economic views are strongly opposed to regulations, emphasizing the need to reduce bureaucracy and reporting obligations (such as ESG), which the Reform Party previously mistakenly considered necessary for Estonia's competitiveness. He/She criticizes state intervention in the activities of entrepreneurs and property owners (e.g., forest cutting requirements).
1 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Not enough data.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on opposing new regulations and eliminating existing bureaucracy. He criticizes the new felling requirements in the draft Nature Conservation Act, which are being established via specific regulations, and has previously opposed the introduction of mandatory ESG reporting while serving on the Economic Affairs Committee. He is also critical of the legislative actions taken by his opponents (Draft Act 600 SE, which proposes amendments to the Accounting Act).
1 Speeches Analyzed