Agenda Profile: Aleksandr Tšaplõgin
Draft law amending the Electricity Market Act (568 SE) - First Reading
2025-03-24
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session.
Political Position
The most pressing issues are high electricity prices and the recession, which are blamed on the government’s green agenda and CO2 taxes. The political position is strongly opposed to the government’s policies, stressing the necessity of returning to a "normal economy" and affordable energy. The stance involves vigorous support for restoring the competitiveness of oil shale power to ensure electricity is not a luxury commodity in Estonia. The framing is primarily policy- and performance-based, accusing political decisions of harming the economy.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in the field of energy policy and economics, focusing specifically on the analysis of CO2 taxes and the competitiveness of oil shale. It is stressed that oil shale is an inexpensive fuel and that price hikes are driven by political taxes, rather than economic factors. Reference is made to the stance of Eesti Energia to support the argument regarding the feasibility of keeping oil shale operations running continuously.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is highly combative, accusatory, and urgent, repeatedly employing strong terms such as "lying," "insane plan," and "green socialism." The appeals target both logic (competition) and emotion (the impoverishment of the people), emphasizing the abnormal nature of the situation. Contrast is drawn between the government's claims and the actual data from Eesti Energia in order to discredit the government's trustworthiness.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
Data on the frequency or rhythm of these occurrences is insufficient because only a single call has been presented. The speaker references the government's past deceptions ("not the first time"), which demonstrates continuous monitoring and criticism of the government's activities.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary targets are the government, which is accused of endless lying and driving the economy into decline, and Brussels, which imposed political CO2 taxes. The criticism is intense, focusing both on specific political decisions and outright dishonesty ("they tried to mislead us"). Also facing sharp criticism are the business interests of green energy producers, who stand accused of enriching themselves at the expense of consumers.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
There is not enough data.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is on the national level (the Estonian economy, the Estonian people) and the international level (Brussels policy, CO2 taxes). The necessity of achieving electricity prices comparable to those in Finland within the Baltic region, specifically by utilizing oil shale power plants, is emphasized.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Strongly supports the free market economy and equal competition among electricity producers, opposing state subsidies and grants ("abandoning green socialism"). It demands the abolition of high CO2 taxes to restore economic growth and prevent the impoverishment of the population caused by high electricity prices. It prioritizes economic growth and cheap energy over the political green agenda.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Not enough data.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The main legislative focus is changing energy policy to eliminate green energy subsidies and high CO2 taxes, which have made the use of oil shale unprofitable. The speaker is a strong critic of the current direction, demanding the government reverse political decisions that have led to economic decline. The speech was delivered during the first reading of the draft law amending the Electricity Market Act, which the speaker apparently opposes.
1 Speeches Analyzed