By Plenary Sessions: Heljo Pikhof
Total Sessions: 34
Fully Profiled: 34
2025-10-06
The 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
The style is confrontational, forceful, and emotional, employing strong accusations such as "lying" and "conscious manipulation." Logical arguments (labor shortages, increased workload) are intertwined with emotional appeals (Swedish murderers, the mental health of Estonian children) to stress the gravity of the situation. The piece concludes with a value-based slogan: "Estonia is not a prison; Estonia is, after all, our home."
2025-09-24
Fifteenth Riigikogu, sixth sitting, plenary sitting.
The speaker's style is direct and insistent, emphasizing the "critical importance" of the subject from a regional policy standpoint. The address to the minister is formal and centers on logical argumentation, demanding concrete visions and timelines.
2025-09-22
15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary session
The rhetorical style is sharp, accusatory, and urgent, openly expressing embarrassment regarding the minister's claims. Logical argumentation is employed, contrasting the government's positions with the opinions of the Director General of the PPA (Police and Border Guard Board) and the South Estonian Prefect, thereby emphasizing the decline in security.
2025-09-15
15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary sitting
The rhetorical style is formal, critical, and urgent, relying heavily on logical arguments, research, and statistics. The speaker uses the format of an inquiry to present a systematic analysis of the problem of educational inequality, emphasizing the lack of policy and the need for targeted solutions. The tone is concerned, particularly regarding social stratification and children's mental health indicators.
2025-09-10
15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary session
The rhetorical style is persuasive and analytical, combining statistical data (e.g., comparison of working hours) with social and emotional arguments (health, family relationships). The speaker utilizes historical context (the idea has been circulating for 15 years) and is highly critical of government representatives, whom they accuse of lacking knowledge and merely "opining" in the commission. The presentation is formal, but includes personal observations regarding the Estonian "Lutheran work ethic."
2025-09-08
15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary session
The tone is respectful when addressing the minister, yet simultaneously demanding and insistent, criticizing the prolonged delay of the issue. The speaker utilizes personal history and references to past actions to establish credibility. The appeal is logical (a long time has passed), and the address concludes by expressing an optimistic belief that a solution will be found.
2025-09-04
15th Riigikogu, extraordinary session of the Riigikogu
The tone is generally formal and procedural, especially in committee reports, but it becomes sharp and critical when defending procedural disputes and the rights of the opposition. It employs both logical arguments (economic considerations, technical modernization of the law) and emotional appeals (children must not suffer, inequality is a burning issue). Criticism directed at the Riigikogu Board is straightforward, accusing them of silencing the opposition and treating women unequally.
2025-06-18
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The rhetorical style is urgent and serious, combining logical arguments (statistics, references to laws) with emotional appeals, emphasizing the "heartache and tears" of debtors and victims of fraud. The speaker often uses direct and sharp questions directed at ministers to highlight the government's inaction or the breaking of election promises, maintaining a critical and demanding stance.
2025-06-12
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
The rhetorical style is highly combative and accusatory, directly challenging the minister's integrity and values ("to deliberately create an impression," "a blatant lie," "many falsehoods"). Sharp metaphors are employed (e.g., "muddying the waters," "dodging the issue," "searching with a fine-tooth comb"), and the tone is characterized by an urgent concern over security. The speaker blends emotional accusations (e.g., "it's an absolute disgrace") with concrete data and references to expert sources.
2025-06-11
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
The style is critical and comparative, centered on the Reform Party's alleged hypocrisy concerning their policies in Tallinn and Tartu. The text employs logical arguments, references to electoral platforms, and direct quotes (specifically, the words of Tallinn Deputy Mayor Pere) to substantiate claims of incompetent tax policy. The tone is insistent, stressing the necessity of action for the sake of children and Estonia's future, thereby blending a political critique with a social appeal.
2025-06-10
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting.
The speaking style is confrontational, direct, and accusatory, starting with the pronouncement that the minister's example was a failure. Logical arguments are employed concerning the inadequacy of the law and the resulting financial damage to the state, culminating in a demand for direct accountability and resignation. The speaker demands a direct response and insists that the issue not be obfuscated.
2025-06-04
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The style is concerned and direct, emphasizing the scale and danger of the problem ("in uncontrolled numbers"). The argument is framed as a question aimed at finding a regulatory solution, balancing the logical discussion with an emotional appeal focused on the safety of children and people with disabilities.
2025-05-21
15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, information briefing.
The rhetorical style is critical and analytical, focusing on highlighting the injustice towards landowners whom the state is compensating with a modest sum. The speaker uses formal language, posing two specific questions to the Prime Minister regarding the government's plans. Rhetorical astonishment is also employed concerning the compensation being termed a "benefit" that is subject to income tax.
2025-05-19
15th Riigikogu, Fifth Session, Plenary Session.
The style is formal, addressing the minister respectfully, but the content is sharply critical and confrontational. Strong, emotionally charged imagery is used ("70% into tree plantations") along with rhetorical questions to emphasize the flawed nature of the government's direction.
2025-05-07
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
The rhetorical style is formal and concerned, stressing the gravity of the proposed change by labeling it a "big problem." The speaker poses a direct question to the presenter, demanding explicit assurance and accountability for the social ramifications of the draft legislation.
2025-05-05
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
The style is direct, corrective, and demands accountability, utilizing both pointed questions and fact-based referencing to the history of legislation (a procedural matter). The tone is formal and focuses on clarifying political positions and ensuring the accuracy of historical facts.
2025-03-19
15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, press briefing.
The rhetorical style is accusatory and deeply concerned, emphasizing public anxiety and the sharp decline in the sense of security. Direct rhetorical questions are employed to challenge the Prime Minister's judgment and credibility, contrasting the "career politician" with experts possessing long-standing experience.
2025-02-26
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The rhetorical style is formal, analytical, and pertinent, emphasizing the necessity of reform and the future of science. The speaker relies heavily on logical arguments and the citation of stakeholder positions, while simultaneously employing a cautious tone to highlight potential risks (e.g., bureaucracy, political instruments of influence). The tone is generally serious and concerned about academic freedom.
2025-02-10
15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, plenary session
The tone is concerned and urgent, emphasizing that children are more vulnerable and require adult role models and a robust framework. The style is formal and analytical, relying heavily on logical arguments and scientific data, referencing specific studies and usage percentages. Finally, a moral appeal is made to legislators to establish a reasonable framework.
2025-01-15
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The language of the speech is formal and analytical, focusing on logical arguments and the technical explanation of the draft bill. The tone is optimistic and persuasive, emphasizing the positive impact the changes will have on the economy and people's well-being. The speaker relies on definitions and justifications rather than emotional appeals in their argumentation, calling upon the Riigikogu to support this investment in national development.
2024-12-04
15th Estonian Parliament, 4th session, plenary sitting
The speaker's rhetorical style is formal, factual, and constructive, while simultaneously emphasizing the seriousness of the situation ("the situation cannot be considered normal"). The appeal is primarily logical and data-driven, utilizing statistics and international examples (Finland, Germany) to justify the social and economic benefits of the draft bill. The tone is persuasive and focuses on the detailed explanation of solutions.
2024-11-20
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting
The style is predominantly formal and procedural, particularly during the presentation of the draft bill, where detailed lists and dates are employed. On critical issues, the tone is concerned and occasionally sharp, utilizing rhetorical questions and strong judgments (e.g., "unheard of," "in a strange way") to criticize the value-based framework of the constitutional amendment draft. Responses to questions are sometimes uncertain, acknowledging the absence of specific figures.
2024-11-11
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
The rhetorical style is direct, sharp, and challenging, employing powerful questions to dispute the opponent's positions ("Where are the men in this game?"). It utilizes an emotional appeal, questioning the opponent's right to make decisions on behalf of women ("how dare you decide such things for women"). The speaker draws upon personal memory and an anecdotal reference to a previous committee session to illustrate their arguments.
2024-09-16
The 15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting.
The style is formal and direct, addressing the minister with a question during a plenary session. A figurative expression ("like mushrooms after rain") is used to describe the speed of construction. The emphasis is on the logical and political framing of the question, devoid of emotional appeals.
2024-06-12
15th Estonian Parliament, 3rd session, plenary session.
The style is highly formal, informative, and procedural, focusing on the detailed conveyance of the bill's content and the committee discussion. Logical and data-driven explanations dominate, provided primarily by the minister and ministry officials in response to specific questions from Riigikogu members. The tone is explanatory and solution-oriented, for instance, when describing the flexibility of new curricula.
2024-06-03
Fifteenth Riigikogu, third session, plenary sitting.
The rhetoric is highly formal, objective, and procedural, focusing on conveying committee deliberations, expert viewpoints, and legal constraints. The tone is neutral and analytical, relying primarily on facts, protocols, and legal arguments, rather than emotional appeals.
2024-05-14
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
The style is formal and analytical, particularly when introducing the draft legislation, employing a supportive and optimistic tone. The focus is on logical arguments and policy details, but it also incorporates value-based appeals concerning child development and the appreciation of teachers. In the initial speeches, the tone is inquisitive and demands clarification, whereas the third speech is comprehensive and laudatory.
2024-05-07
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
The rhetorical style is formal and argumentative, employing both logical reasoning (technical deficiencies, repertoire limitations) and appeals to national dignity. The tone is persuasive and stresses the historical necessity of rapidly resolving the situation. Quotations and comparisons with other, even poorer European nations are utilized to highlight Estonia's backwardness.
2024-04-16
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
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.
2024-04-03
15th Estonian Parliament, 3rd sitting, plenary session
The rhetorical style is formal and analytical, blending logical arguments (such as the waste of resources and legal precedents) with emotional appeals (like describing the situation as "inhumane" or referencing the psychological state of the children). Proponents draw a historical parallel to the experience of Estonian refugees in Sweden between 1944 and 1950. The debate is sharp at times, focusing on opposing viewpoints concerning integration versus segregation.
2024-03-20
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary sitting
The style of the speech is formal and informative, focusing on the detailed explanation of the legal amendments and their positive impact on the social safety net for creative professionals. The tone is optimistic regarding the solution that has been achieved, but simultaneously emphasizes the need for further steps (e.g., rolling health insurance). The argumentation is strongly logical, relying on research and the explanation of financial mechanisms.
2024-02-21
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
The style is predominantly official, procedural, and authoritative, especially when introducing the bill's procedure and the committee's work (a list of dates and discussions). It uses logical arguments and data, but becomes defensive and slightly sharp when responding to criticism ("I am sorry that the previous speaker has not understood the point of the bill"). It also uses an emotional appeal regarding national security and the viability of culture when quoting the director general of the national opera.
2024-01-24
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
The style is predominantly formal and procedural, particularly concerning the committee representative, who submits an objective and detailed report regarding the committee's debate and voting outcomes. The questioner’s style is direct and critical, challenging the motivation of the bill’s initiator for increasing the fine amounts.
2024-01-18
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
The rhetorical style is analytical, concerned, and forward-looking, emphasizing the importance of education for the survival of the state and the nation. Numerous logical arguments and references to studies are employed, while maintaining a formal and serious tone. It appeals both to reason (through data) and to values (by elevating the honor of the teaching profession).