By Plenary Sessions: Rain Epler
Total Sessions: 10
Fully Profiled: 10
2024-04-30
Fifteenth Riigikogu, Third Session, Plenary Session.
The political stance is strongly oppositional, focusing on the government's broken promises and poor legislative practices. The most acute issues are the elimination of the income tax exemption for the average pension and the shifting of increased public sector costs onto the populace through fees and fines. The position is framed both in terms of moral values (keeping promises) and the failure of the government's actions. The speaker accuses the government of bankrupting the state and demands their resignation.
2024-04-29
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
The political stance is firmly opposed to ideological climate policy, particularly when it threatens democratic institutions and economic stability. Emphasis is placed on the deliberation and stability inherent in democracy, and criticism is leveled at government dishonesty (lying before elections) and the usurpation of power. The speaker supports maintaining "common sense" in the role of central banks, standing against the exertion of pressure on the European Central Bank.
2024-04-18
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary sitting
The political focus is on robust support for nuclear energy, emphasizing its safety and long-term economic viability. Concurrently, skepticism is voiced regarding the true costs of offshore wind farms and inadequate cost estimations (LCOE). The political framework is distinctly fact-based and technical, aiming to dispel demagogic associations between nuclear power and nuclear proliferation.
2024-04-17
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary sitting
The speaker strongly opposes the Riigikogu's (Parliament's) organization of work and voting procedures, criticizing the government's alleged desire to set precedents despite assurances to the contrary. This position is aimed at criticizing the effective functioning of the parliament, stressing that the current conduct leads to the disregard of the opposition. This is a strongly procedural stance rooted in the criticism of institutional performance.
2024-04-16
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
The speaker expresses strong opposition to government intervention in the energy market (specifically, regulating the universal service), labeling it "socialist-style governance." The political focus is directed towards ensuring national trust and security, particularly concerning standards for e-elections and identity verification, demanding a more consistent and stricter approach. He also sharply criticizes the Reform Party's internal processes and their choice of lead candidate for the European Parliament elections, citing their positions regarding Russia.
2024-04-15
Fifteenth Riigikogu, third session, plenary session
The political focus is on road safety and maintenance, driven by concerns regarding government actions and budget cuts. The speaker expresses strong opposition to reducing road maintenance funding and questions the safety of the Transport Agency's "innovative" construction solutions (e.g., narrow intersections). This position is performance-based, demanding accountability from the minister and the measurement of activity results.
2024-04-08
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary sitting
The political focus centers on sharp opposition to the government's budget priorities, particularly the funding of the green transition to the tune of hundreds of millions, which is widely viewed as absurd and simply throwing money down the drain. The utmost importance is placed on supporting children and families with children, and ensuring teachers' salaries, prioritizing these over green energy initiatives given the constraints of limited resources. A strong value-based stance is maintained, emphasizing the protection of children from social gender concepts imported from America. The overall political position is strongly oppositional and forceful.
2024-04-04
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
The political stance centers on the working procedures of the Riigikogu and established parliamentary traditions. The speaker raises the issue of allocating the position of the second vice-speaker to the largest opposition party, seeking confirmation of this specific convention. The context in which the question is posed is primarily procedural and oriented toward historical practices.
2024-04-03
15th Estonian Parliament, 3rd sitting, plenary session
The political focus is on the legislative process and its current gridlock due to a large volume of amendments, with direct reference to the proposed car tax bill. The speaker expresses doubt as to whether the stalling of bills constitutes a general procedural principle, and hopes that the car tax will ultimately fail to move forward through the process. Furthermore, criticism is leveled at the removal of points from the draft legislation that had not previously raised any issues, suggesting concern over the transparency of the procedure.
2024-04-03
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, information briefing
The political platform strongly emphasizes national security and energy policy resilience, opposing the dismantling of the Estonian Power Plant unit as dangerous self-undermining. Furthermore, the handling of the bank tax bill is demanded, and the government's legal justifications for controlling mobilization-age individuals at the border are disputed. The political framework is primarily centered on policy and risk management.