Session Profile: Signe Kivi
15th Estonian Parliament, 3rd session, plenary session
2024-04-10
Political Position
The political position focuses on the issue of Russian-language information duplication by state institutions, deeming the discussion necessary and suggesting that information is being duplicated excessively. Signe Kivi accepts the desire of the bill's initiators to define more clearly what essential information should be translated. She emphasizes that, in the current situation, it is up to each government agency to decide what information it translates and what it does not, citing the provisions of the Constitution and the Language Act.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The text demonstrates strong expertise regarding the procedural rules of the Riigikogu (Estonian Parliament) and the work of the Culture Committee, providing a detailed overview of the session's proceedings, participants, and procedural decisions. Substantively, it relies on data concerning language policy and integration (Monitoring 2023) and quotes the positions of the Language Board (Keeleamet) and relevant legal provisions (Language Act § 2 subsection 2, Constitution § 44).
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is highly formal, objective, and detailed, characteristic of a commission report that chronicles the progress of a discussion. The discourse is logically structured, highlighting the viewpoints of various participants, including citations from Jaak Valge, Margit Sutrop, and Ilmar Tomusk. Emotional appeals are avoided; the focus is strictly on facts and procedural processes.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The primary role involves representing the Riigikogu Culture Committee and providing a detailed report of the session to the plenary assembly, having been appointed as the representative of the lead committee. He/She reports on the committee session that took place on April 2nd and presents the procedural decisions to the plenary. His/Her activity is connected to the processing and procedural guidance of a specific draft bill.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
It does not express direct opposition, but rather neutrally references the conflicting viewpoints presented in the committee, such as the discussion that arose between Jaak Valge and Margit Sutrop regarding the rigidity of the draft law and the reliability of monitoring. It also highlights the stance of the Language Inspectorate (Keeleamet), which emphasizes institutions' freedom of decision concerning translation, contrasting with the draft law's rigidity.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
His style of cooperation is consensual and facilitative; he notes that both the submission of the draft bill to the plenary session and his appointment as rapporteur were decided consensually within the committee. He cooperates by accurately reporting the positions of all committee members and invited experts, including the discussion between Jaak Valge and Margit Sutrop.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is primarily national, addressing language policy and the exchange of information between state institutions within the Republic of Estonia. Regionally, Narva is cited as an example, specifically in the context of the lack of an Estonian-language environment. Furthermore, the language usage on the websites of ministries in Finland, Moldova, and Belarus is highlighted for international comparison.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The economic arguments are indirect, centering on saving state resources by ending translation, a proposal supported by several commission members. Kivi himself supports the need to define more clearly what information needs to be translated in order to avoid excessive duplication and thereby save state resources.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The main social topics are language policy and the integration of society, based on monitoring data concerning the Estonian language proficiency and attitudes of people of other nationalities. The necessity of Russian-language information in connection with Ukrainian refugees is discussed, as well as the parameters for measuring integration (e.g., criminogenicity, HIV infection rates).
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on Riigikogu Draft Resolution 365 OE, the purpose of which is to eliminate the Russian-language websites of the ministries. Kivi is the representative of the lead committee, who will introduce the preparations for the bill's first reading and the procedural decisions, including the determination of the final vote date.
2 Speeches Analyzed