Session Profile: Heljo Pikhof
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
2024-04-16
Political Position
The political emphasis is placed on increasing funding for the cultural sector in order to halt the decline in the Ministry of Culture’s share of the state budget—a share that has nearly halved over the past 20 years. We strongly support guaranteeing social benefits for creative professionals and ensuring culture is equally accessible throughout all of Estonia. This political framework is value-based, stressing that the very survival of the Estonian state hinges upon the preservation of its language and culture.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
Deep expertise is demonstrated regarding the budget history and wage policy of the cultural sector, highlighting specific percentages (e.g., 3.84% in 2002) and historical data concerning the minimum wage for cultural workers. Technical terms are used, such as "creative economy," the "Film Estonia reimbursement system," and "rolling health insurance." Furthermore, there is detailed knowledge of specific initiatives like the "culture backpack" and support for hobby education.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is formal and analytical, encompassing both recognition of the minister's work and critical, data-driven analysis concerning the budget. Historical comparisons are employed (the history of salary increases under various ministers) and experts (architectural historian Mart Kalm) are quoted to support regional arguments. The second speech features moderate partisan rhetoric, emphasizing the Social Democratic Party's contribution to the salary increase.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The course of action reflects active participation in the Riigikogu plenary session, presenting substantive questions and providing overviews concerning the activities of the Ministry of Culture. Previous cooperation with the Riigikogu Cultural Committee is mentioned, and reference is made to earlier questions directed at the then Minister of Culture.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The criticism is aimed at previous governments and their budget policies, which have led to a long-term reduction in the Ministry of Culture's share of funding. Specific criticism is leveled against the tenure of the minister who belonged to the Isamaa party, during which the growth of the minimum wage for cultural workers stopped. The criticism is policy- and results-based, not personal.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Good cooperation is emphasized with both the current minister and the Riigikogu Culture Committee. Reference is made to successful political cooperation, which has resulted in the implementation of measures important to the Social Democrats, such as support for children’s and youth hobby education and the ‘culture backpack.’
3 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
There is a strong regional focus on Tartu, actively supporting the establishment of the Tartu City Centre Cultural Centre (SÜKU) and its qualification for the title of a nationally important cultural building. Emphasis is placed on the necessity of strengthening the Tartu city centre to prevent the city from becoming a "backwater provincial town."
3 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Culture is viewed as an economic revenue stream, not merely an expense, citing the creative economy and the Film Estonia cash rebate system as examples, which injects resources into the economy. There is strong support for state intervention to raise the salaries of cultural workers and ensure social protection for creative professionals.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The primary social issues revolve around ensuring social protection and social guarantees (healthcare, pensions, unemployment insurance) for creative professionals via legislative amendments. Furthermore, emphasis is placed on the importance of supporting hobby education for children and youth, and ensuring the uniform accessibility of culture across all of Estonia.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on implementing amendments to the Cultural Endowment Act and the Gambling Tax Act, which replaced the creative work allowance with creative work remuneration, thereby ensuring social protection. A further priority is the completion of construction and renovation projects for nationally important cultural buildings (including the new TV house and SÜKU). Government approval is also awaited for the rolling health insurance scheme.
3 Speeches Analyzed