Session Profile: Rain Epler
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
2025-01-13
Political Position
The political position is strongly anti-government, focusing on energy policy and criticism of the green transition. The speaker supports the use of oil shale as a vital reserve capacity and opposes the construction of gas power plants, calling it "the deed of the Kilplased" (an act of utter foolishness). He/She also strongly criticizes the centralization of the state, particularly the closure of courthouses, and the high tax burden imposed administratively.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates profound expertise in the energy sector, detailing the technical and economic aspects of oil shale, gas power plants, emissions trading, and desynchronization. He explains the costs associated with maintaining reserve capacity and the effect of administrative fees (quotas) on fossil fuel prices. Furthermore, he is well-versed in matters of state-owned enterprise management and political accountability, citing previous articles (Postimees 2022).
7 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is sharp, critical, and often ironic, employing analogies (the simpletons/Schilda fools) and metaphors (a fairy tale). The speaker accuses the government of weak political leadership ("a state run by officials") and bravado (in its preparation for desynchronization). He calls on the Prime Minister to boldly and swiftly revise his current views, also offering the option of handing over leadership to others.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is an active participant in debates, referencing earlier discussions on energy policy both in the Riigikogu chamber and on television. He/She uses interpellations (e.g., regarding the financing of Elering) to exert political pressure and clarify his/her positions. He/She also refers to previous media activity (Postimees 2022), the standpoints of which have now been adopted by the government.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
Strong opposition is directed at the Prime Minister and the Reform Party, criticizing their energy and tax policies, as well as weak political leadership. The criticism is both political (demonization of fossil fuels, forcing the green transition) and personal (the appointment of Michal’s friend Kasemets as Secretary of State). He accuses the Environmental Board of an emotional impulse, which led to Eesti Energia's rational decision to withdraw the plants from the market.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
There is little information regarding cooperation, but the sharing of ideas with other Riigikogu members is mentioned (the idea of assisting families with children). In the current context, the style is rather confrontational, but he/she acknowledges the change in the Prime Minister’s tone regarding energy, seeing this as hope for a move towards normalcy.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The speaker emphasizes the negative impact of centralization and the closure of courthouses on local communities, focusing specifically on the examples of Põlva and Võrumaa. He criticizes the Põlva mayor, a member of the Reform Party, for failing to stand up for his municipality, despite his party's position in the coalition. He also opposes the trend of "moving everything to Tallinn."
7 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The economic views are strongly critical of taxation, opposing excessive taxes and administrative costs that artificially inflate the price of fossil fuels. He/She emphasizes that fossil fuels are actually the cheapest, but emissions trading is aimed at phasing them out. He/She warns that the costs of maintaining reserve capacity will ultimately be passed on to consumers through increased grid tariffs or a higher tax burden (a "security tax").
7 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
In the social sphere, he criticizes the closure of courthouses, arguing that it could increase the courts' workload and lengthen proceedings. He expresses concern over plans to bring prisoners from the United Kingdom to fill Estonian prisons for a fee. He also mentions the Reform Party's potential revision of its stance regarding "woke ideology."
7 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on opposing the government’s centralization plans, particularly concerning the closure of courthouses in Jõhvi and Põlva. In the energy sector, the priority is easing administrative restrictions (quotas) on the use of fossil fuels and improving the political management of state-owned enterprises. It is generally reactive and critical of government initiatives.
7 Speeches Analyzed