Session Profile: Rain Epler
XV Riigikogu, V Session, Plenary Sitting
2025-06-16
Political Position
The political position is strongly anti-regulatory, demanding the elimination of ESG reporting and the 100% renewable energy target in order to focus on boosting the economy and defense capabilities. Criticism is aimed at the government's inefficiency and rising costs, particularly in waste management and IT development. The speaker presents himself as a prophet whose earlier warnings (regarding the renewable energy target) the government has only belatedly acknowledged.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker exhibits expertise in environmental regulations (ESG, renewable energy), the economic principles of waste management, and IT security (specifically, emergency notification systems). They draw business analogies concerning the supply-demand dynamic and reference technical solutions such as cell broadcast alerts. Furthermore, they highlight practical knowledge of rural living and waste prevention in sparsely populated areas.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is sharply critical, provocative, and often confrontational, employing rhetorical questions to expose the government's illogic ("backward logic"). The speaker emphasizes personal experience (as a rural person) and offers predictions regarding future political developments across Europe. The style also incorporates personal references concerning the minister's prior business ventures.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
All speeches were delivered on a single day of the plenary session, June 16, 2025, which demonstrates active participation in the question period and debates. The speaker addresses questions to both ministers and rapporteurs, focusing on a wide range of topics, from the economy to security.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The confrontation is aimed at the government and ministers, criticizing political objectives (ESG, renewable energy) and systemic inefficiencies. The criticism is both political (specifically, ignoring expert recommendations regarding the emergency response system) and personal, referencing the minister’s prior business activities. The speaker demands the disclosure of the cost and timeline figures required to fix these systems.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker demonstrates a readiness to cooperate on specific legislative objectives, explicitly supporting the Isamaa party's proposal to abolish the ESG reporting requirement. The remainder of the communication is predominantly focused on challenging and criticizing the government's actions.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The regional focus is directed towards rural and sparsely populated areas concerning waste management costs and practical solutions. Põlva town is also specifically mentioned regarding the construction of shelters, raising concerns about potential hidden costs in local projects.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic perspectives emphasize the necessity of eliminating regulations (such as ESG) to boost the economy and enhance defense capabilities. The speaker is critical of policies that raise costs for local governments and individuals, particularly those concerning valuable raw materials. He advocates for fiscal discipline and enabling costs to be reduced to zero through personal conduct.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Insufficient data.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is directed at eliminating the regulatory burden, supporting the Isamaa party’s proposal for the complete abolition of the ESG reporting requirement. Furthermore, the development of security infrastructure (shelters) is a priority, but it is demanded that this must occur without hidden or inflated costs ("smart shelter").
5 Speeches Analyzed