Agenda Profile: Tanel Kiik
First Reading of the Draft Act Amending the Public Holidays and Anniversaries Act (669 SE)
2025-10-22
XV Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
Political Position
The political stance is strongly supportive of the draft legislation, which aims to value children and establish a new national holiday. This support is justified on value-based grounds, citing the demographic crisis and the necessity of improving people's mental and physical health. The position holds that placing greater value on children should be a priority for every member of parliament, irrespective of whether they belong to the opposition or the coalition.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speakers express interest in international practice (the status of national holidays in other countries) and Estonia’s historical context, asking about children’s holidays during the era of the first Republic of Estonia. One speaker employs arguments linking the addition of public holidays to a positive impact on the economy, health, and family stability, also referencing a comparison between the number of Estonian holidays and the European Union average.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is polite, constructive, and supportive, employing positive assessments such as "sympathetic" and "reasonable." Speakers frame their viewpoints as questions, blending the emotional emphasis on the value of children with logical arguments concerning health and economics. The overall tone tends to be consensual and solution-oriented.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
Insufficient data.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
No direct confrontation or criticism towards opponents is evident. One speaker emphasizes that the valuing of children should be important to all members of parliament, regardless of opposition or coalition, which indicates a desire to avoid political polarization on this issue.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speakers emphasize the necessity of cooperation and the search for consensus, particularly regarding the issue of valuing children. A desire was expressed for this topic to unite members of parliament across coalition and opposition lines, thereby fostering cross-party support.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is at the national level (Estonia’s demographic crisis, national holidays) and on international comparison (the European Union average, the practices of other countries). Specific regional topics or local communities are not covered.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The economic viewpoint is that adding a public holiday wouldn't put the brakes on the economy; instead, it would contribute to people's mental and physical health and their overall productivity. This points to prioritizing social benefit under conditions of economic neutrality, emphasizing the value of human capital.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The primary social issue is the prioritization and well-being of children, which is discussed in the context of the demographic crisis. Also deemed important is the stability of families and improving people's mental and physical health through state holidays.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is currently on the draft amendment to the Law on Holidays and Important Dates (669 SE), which aims to add a new national holiday related to children to the calendar. The speakers are strong proponents of this initiative and are examining the practical aspects of its implementation, such as whether it will be designated as a non-working day.
2 Speeches Analyzed