Agenda Profile: Liina Kersna
Draft law amending the Basic and Upper Secondary Education Act and the Vocational Education Institutions Act (620 SE) – First Reading
2025-09-17
15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary sitting.
Political Position
The political stance is one of staunch opposition to Bill 620 SE, which concerns increasing school lunch subsidies, arguing that it is not a government priority. He/She stresses that the 30 million euro expenditure should be redirected toward raising teachers' salaries and supporting higher education to ensure quality education. The position is clearly driven by policy and priorities, serving to defend the government's budget strategy. He/She reiterates that the compilation of the state budget is a question of priorities, with the increase of teachers' salaries taking precedence.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
Deep expertise in the field of education, particularly concerning school meal financing models (tripartite support) and the nuances of legislation (regulation vs. law). The individual utilizes specific financial data (30 million euros, payroll growth percentage) and draws upon 10 years of personal work experience in the Riigikogu (Estonian Parliament) and visits to 300 schools. Based on this extensive experience, he/she is convinced that school meals are generally tasty and healthy.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is analytical, substantive, and procedural, focusing on logical arguments and financial comparisons. He defends the government's positions and criticizes the initiators of the bill regarding both their method and their priorities, while simultaneously maintaining a polite address toward his colleagues. Ironic remarks are also present, such as those concerning giving advice to the Centre Party.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
An active participant in the work of the Culture Committee, leading discussions and representing the committee during the Riigikogu plenary sessions. They submit procedural motions, including proposals for placing draft legislation on the agenda or rejecting it outright. This individual also points to extensive prior work in the field of education, having visited at least 300 schools over a 10-year period.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
Opposes the initiators of the draft bill (Center Party/Vadim Belobrovtsev) on both substantive and procedural grounds, deeming the bill an unsuitable method for increasing the allowance. Intense criticism is leveled at the previous EKRE/Center Party government, faulting them for the zero increase in teachers' salaries within the state budget strategy. He/She also questions the opposing side's assertion that raising the allowance would reduce the amount of food being thrown into the trash.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Cooperation within the committee was procedural (achieving consensus on appointing a representative and placing the draft bill on the plenary agenda), but on substantive issues, the actor was oppositional. His proposal to reject the draft bill was supported by a 4:3 vote. He ironically advises the Centre Party (Keskerakond) to find creative solutions themselves.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
It focuses on national education and budget policy while highlighting regional success stories. Võrumaa is brought forward as a positive example, where educational institutions have achieved the widespread use of organic raw materials and local food in school meals.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
They favor fiscal discipline and directing spending towards priority areas, such as teachers' salaries, considering the proposed €30 million increase in school lunch subsidies too costly. They support tax policies that increase the amount of money people keep (abolishing the tax hump, raising the tax-free minimum income), seeing this as a means to improve livelihoods and afford quality food.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The central social theme is the quality of education and equal access to it, which he links to raising teachers' salaries. He supports the provision of high-quality, warm school meals but emphasizes a tripartite funding model. He agrees that the state or local government should assume greater responsibility for feeding those children whose parents are unable to provide for them financially.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The primary legislative focus is opposing Bill 620 SE and supporting its rejection. He/She is an objector, stressing that raising school lunch subsidies should be resolved by a Regulation of the Government of the Republic, not by amending the law. He/She emphasizes that the bill is misguided in terms of priorities, as it expends resources that should be allocated to teachers' salaries.
9 Speeches Analyzed