Session Profile: Liina Kersna
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary sitting
2024-05-30
Political Position
The speaker's primary political position is one of strong support for investments in research and development (R&D), which they deem essential for economic growth. They criticize the government's plan to cut R&D funding due to a negative supplementary budget. This position centers on policy effectiveness, stressing the necessity of investing, even if it requires using borrowed funds, to avoid making cuts.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in economic policy and public finance, utilizing technical terminology such as "negative supplementary budget" and referencing GDP-based funding percentages. Their focus on research and development (R&D) funding is particularly comprehensive, highlighting data on private sector investments versus the state's contribution. They are also capable of distinguishing the semantic framework of political decisions ("painful decisions" versus "necessary decisions").
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The speaker's rhetorical style is formal and analytical, focusing on posing direct questions to high-ranking representatives of financial institutions. The tone is logical and matter-of-fact, emphasizing data (entrepreneurial investments) and the consequences of political choices. He/She employs semantic differentiation to steer the discussion toward the necessity of government decisions.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker actively participates in plenary sessions, posing questions to representatives of key financial institutions (the Nordic Investment Bank, the Vice President of the Bank of Estonia). Both addresses were delivered on the same day, which points to a high level of engagement in economic discussions and hearings.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary criticism is aimed at the current government concerning the negative supplementary budget and the resulting plan to cut research and development (R&D) funding. The critique is policy-based, questioning the wisdom of the government's decision to reduce investments in a sector crucial for economic development. The intensity of the criticism is moderate, as it presents an alternative strategy to the government's actions (utilizing borrowed funds).
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
There is no information available regarding cooperation with colleagues or other political parties. The speaker’s style is geared towards appealing to experts and soliciting their views to support their political stance concerning R&D funding.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is on national economic policy (the role of the Bank of Estonia, the state budget) and international financial institutions (Nordic Investment Bank). There is no reference to specific local or regional topics; the emphasis is on macroeconomic and innovation-related issues.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The speaker’s economic outlook stresses the importance of long-term growth, advocating strongly for public investment in research and development (R&D). He favors strategically utilizing borrowed capital to finance R&D, contrasting sharply with the government’s current austerity measures, which stem from the decline in GDP. He also recognizes the increasing role of private enterprises in R&D investment.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
There is not enough data.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus centers on the state's budgetary policy and funding priorities, particularly the maintenance of research and development funding levels (1% of GDP). The speaker is critical of the government's budget cuts and advocates for increasing or sustaining R&D funding through the use of borrowed funds.
2 Speeches Analyzed