Agenda Profile: Mihkel Lees
Draft law amending the Social Welfare Act (pension support) - first reading (508 SE)
2024-10-17
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting
Political Position
The speaker, speaking on behalf of the Reform Party faction, strongly supports the amendment to the Social Welfare Act (508 SE), which eliminates the single pensioner benefit intended for pensioners residing in care homes. This stance is driven by the policy need to identify areas for reduction during a challenging period and achieve budgetary savings of 1.3–1.5 million euros. He/She stresses that while making cuts in the social sphere is difficult, the target group will not face serious financial hardship due to this change.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates detailed knowledge regarding the financing of the social sector and the effects of the care reform, explaining the reduction in client co-payment and the role of local governments (LG). He/She uses specific data to validate this expertise, citing the 15% of income stipulated by law for special care, and presenting statistics concerning the City of Tartu regarding the remaining disposable funds.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The speaker’s rhetorical style is rational, defensively explanatory, and focuses on logical arguments intended to alleviate concerns regarding the consequences of losing support. He/She employs formal and data-driven language, relying on the practices of local governments (e.g., Põltsamaa, Paide) and statistics, while strictly avoiding emotional appeals.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
Insufficient data.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The speaker indirectly addresses potential objections regarding nursing home residents falling into financial hardship, but does not directly name or criticize any opposition faction or politician. He focuses on refuting the objection, emphasizing that local governments (LGs) will provide assistance if necessary.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker represents and affirms the unified position of the Reform Party faction in supporting the draft bill, highlighting the faction's assessment of the amendment's impact. There is no information available regarding inter-party cooperation or willingness to compromise.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The speaker uses regional examples when explaining the impact of the national law, highlighting practices in Tartu, Tartu municipality, Põltsamaa, and Paide municipality. He/She refers to Tartu as his/her hometown, where he/she collected local data concerning disposable income.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The speaker emphasized the importance of fiscal discipline and the necessity of finding areas for cuts in the state budget during these difficult times, supporting the elimination of a social benefit to achieve savings of 1.3 to 1.5 million euros. He stressed that while cuts are necessary, we must prevent the target groups from falling into serious hardship or difficulties in making ends meet.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The main social issue is the financial sustainability of the elderly in care homes, where the speaker asserts that the change will neither reduce the accessibility of general care services nor significantly worsen people's economic well-being. He/She points to the positive impact of the care reform in reducing out-of-pocket costs and the availability of support for disabled individuals of retirement age.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on supporting the Act amending the Social Welfare Act (Bill 508 SE), which concerns the abolition of the pensioner's allowance for residents of care homes. The speaker is a strong supporter and advocate for the bill during its first reading, wishing for its advancement.
1 Speeches Analyzed