Session Profile: Aleksandr Tšaplõgin
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
2025-04-14
Political Position
The political focus centers on the electricity price crisis and energy independence. The speaker strongly opposes the current free market model, accusing it of profiting speculators, and demands a return to the state-regulated prices of 2013 and independent supply based on oil shale. This stance is heavily policy- and results-driven, criticizing the failure of promises made during previous market reforms. Skepticism is also voiced regarding the construction of wind farms, as they fail to guarantee supply security when the wind is calm.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates profound expertise regarding the energy market and exchange mechanisms, citing specific data and statistics, such as the 15-fold price difference compared to Finland and the assertion that 89% of Nord Pool transactions are speculative. Separate emphasis is placed on the issues surrounding electricity transmission capacity and the role of the Estonian state-owned Elering in price formation and generating profits. The expertise also covers the necessity of repairing the Narva power plants and utilizing oil shale resources.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is combative, critical, and urgent, highlighting the cynicism and paradoxical nature of the situation. The speaker leans heavily on logical arguments, facts, and statistical comparisons to expose the market's unfairness. Emotional terms are also employed, such as "superprofits" and "the domain of speculators," to underscore the exploitation of consumers.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
There is not enough data.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary adversary is the Reform Party, which faces criticism for the 2013 market reform that resulted in price hikes and opened the market up to speculators. The criticism is intense and policy-driven, accusing the government of favoring speculators and the Estonian state (through Elering) of cynically generating profits at the expense of consumers. No willingness to compromise has been expressed; instead, they demand a radical overhaul of the system.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Insufficient data.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The regional focus is centered on the repair of the Narva power plants and the utilization of oil shale resources in Estonia, emphasizing the importance of domestic production capacity. The international context is used for comparison (Finnish prices) and to describe issues concerning transmission lines (Gulf of Finland).
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The economic views are strongly interventionist and favor state regulation. The speaker opposes the speculative mechanisms of the free market and demands the reinstatement of state price controls. They prioritize investments in existing domestic production capacity (the Narva power plants) and oppose allocating hundreds of millions of euros to subsidize "uncompetitive green energy."
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Not enough data.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative priority is the complete reform of the energy system, with the aim of restoring national price regulation and abandoning the rules of the Nord Pool exchange. A significant focus is also on the political will required to solve the problem of high fees for CO2 quotas and to direct funds toward the repair of the Narva power plants.
2 Speeches Analyzed