By Plenary Sessions: Heljo Pikhof
Total Sessions: 34
Fully Profiled: 34
2025-10-06
The 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
The focus is on internal security and maintaining public order, emphasizing that bringing in Swedish criminals increases the risks. A serious concern is raised regarding the strain on healthcare and mental health services, asking where the specialists needed for prisoners requiring complex treatment will be sourced, potentially at the expense of mental health services for Estonian children.
2025-09-24
Fifteenth Riigikogu, sixth sitting, plenary sitting.
The social focus is directed towards preserving rural life and solving demographic issues, ensuring that young people remain in rural areas. High-speed internet access is a critical prerequisite for achieving this social objective.
2025-09-22
15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary session
The primary social concern is public safety and internal security, which is linked to the placement of foreign nationals who are criminals (murderers and rapists). It is emphasized that the reduction in the number of police officers poses a direct threat to the security of the people of Southern Estonia.
2025-09-15
15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary sitting
The primary social issue is educational inequality and social stratification, which is linked to the socio-economic background of families. Furthermore, the seriousness of school bullying and children's mental health issues is emphasized, along with the need to ensure the availability of support services for inclusive education. The issue of the delay in adopting the Arms Act is also being raised.
2025-09-10
15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary session
The main social topic is work-life balance, emphasizing that excessive working harms the health and family relationships of Estonians. Additional days off are presented as a solution for improving mental well-being and enabling time spent with family, which is especially important for families who travel long distances to meet up.
2025-09-08
15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary session
The main social topic is euthanasia and the related bioethics issues. The speaker emphasizes the need to move forward vigorously on this topic, noting that people are awaiting a solution to this sensitive issue.
2025-09-04
15th Riigikogu, extraordinary session of the Riigikogu
A strong focus is placed on educational inequality, stressing that a child’s educational trajectory should not depend on their parents’ income or location. She addresses issues concerning children’s mental health and school bullying, demanding support services for inclusive education and ensuring access to extracurricular activities. Furthermore, she champions gender equality within Riigikogu (Parliament) procedures, criticizing the differential treatment of women.
2025-06-18
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The core social issues are educational inequality and financial vulnerability. The speaker calls for targeted policies to level the playing field regarding social background in education, supporting the abolition of kindergarten fees. They also stress that falling victim to fraud is a matter of national concern, requiring social and mental health support.
2025-06-12
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
Among social issues, the focus is on public safety and ensuring adequate staffing for the police force, opposing any weakening of the PPA (Police and Border Guard Board) given the current security environment. The topic of healthcare for inmates is also addressed, emphasizing that offenders require extensive medication and the assistance of specialists (psychiatrists and psychologists).
2025-06-11
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
The primary social concern is the accessibility of early childhood education and the reduction of educational stratification, emphasizing that nearly a tenth of children miss out due to excessively high participation fees. Free preschool is presented as the most effective weapon against inequality and a crucial step toward unified Estonian-language education.
2025-06-10
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting.
There is insufficient data.
2025-06-04
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
When addressing social issues, strong emphasis is placed on public safety and the protection of vulnerable groups (including people with mobility impairments, families with strollers, and children). Specific attention is also drawn to the danger posed by drunk driving and how it affects the security of pedestrian walkways.
2025-05-21
15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, information briefing.
There is too little data.
2025-05-19
15th Riigikogu, Fifth Session, Plenary Session.
No data available
2025-05-07
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
The focus among social issues is placed on ensuring adequate livelihood and preventing poverty. Emphasis is given to the role of social benefits (such as unemployment allowance and subsistence benefit) in securing the financial stability of households, while opposing changes that would increase the necessity for subsistence support.
2025-05-05
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
The focus is on the social problem of caring for the elderly and the resulting necessity for family members to leave their jobs. Also important are the adequacy of pensions and the indexation mechanism that ensures social security.
2025-03-19
15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, press briefing.
The social issue being addressed is the public's sense of security and fear of war, the growth of which is blamed on the government's actions and inconsistent messaging.
2025-02-26
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The issues of academic freedom and research ethics are addressed, emphasizing the need for independent structures that would ensure the impartial administration of research ethics. Concern is also expressed regarding the growing workload of researchers due to bureaucratic reporting.
2025-02-10
15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, plenary session
The primary social issues revolve around the mental and physical health of young people, which is jeopardized by excessive use of smart devices, cyberbullying, and social isolation. Proposed solutions emphasize the necessity of strengthening digital competence education, increasing parental awareness, and directing youth toward alternative activities.
2025-01-15
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The main social theme is adult education and lifelong learning, which is viewed as a means of improving people's well-being and ensuring the successful adaptation of society. The aim of the draft bill is to provide flexible and high-quality learning opportunities throughout the entire lifespan.
2024-12-04
15th Estonian Parliament, 4th session, plenary sitting
The central social theme is educational inequality and the marginalization of young people, particularly those who drop off the radar without qualifications. The proposed solution is an inclusive system that offers a buffer year to close learning gaps and allows non-formal education (e.g., music school, sports training) to be recognized as part of formal education.
2024-11-20
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting
In the social sector, the central topic is education reform and the extension of compulsory education, which aims to reduce school dropout rates (affecting 1,200–1,500 young people) and support NEET youth. Concerns are being raised regarding the shortage of support specialists, their resulting heavy workload, and issues surrounding children's school readiness. The issue of critically restricting the voting rights of third-country nationals in local elections is also being addressed.
2024-11-11
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
The central social theme is the right to abortion and responsibility for unwanted pregnancies, emphasizing gender equality in the sharing of that responsibility. The speaker fully supports pregnancy prevention and stresses that children must be raised with care and love. They oppose the view that a child must be born in any case, particularly when the conditions for a caring upbringing are lacking.
2024-09-16
The 15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting.
The social focus is placed on the security and preparedness of the population, emphasizing the need to ensure shelter options in new buildings. This is linked to broader security issues concerning civil defense and the safety of the living environment.
2024-06-12
15th Estonian Parliament, 3rd session, plenary session.
The main social issue is educational inequality and the dropout rate, particularly among youth with special educational needs (SEN). Emphasis is placed on the need to create broad-based curricula and support systems that would help SEN youth succeed in the labor market in the long term. Lifelong learning is supported, but free repeated instruction for adults is restricted.
2024-06-03
Fifteenth Riigikogu, third session, plenary sitting.
A central social theme is the protection of children from the harmful effects of pornography and the development of child assistance mechanisms (child assistance consultants). Support is provided for offering age-appropriate sexual education within the education system and for establishing mechanisms for harm compensation.
2024-05-14
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
The main social theme is education and social equality. There is strong support for early intervention and the identification of special needs by special education teachers, as well as the transition to Estonian-language education. Education is viewed as a tool for leveling societal inequality, and the importance of healthy food in kindergartens is emphasized.
2024-05-07
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
The social focus centers on the role of high culture in society, highlighting the significance of opera as a force shaping the values of mental health, freedom, and mutual understanding. The new building would significantly improve the career development prospects for Estonian singers, dancers, and musicians.
2024-04-16
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
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.
2024-04-03
15th Estonian Parliament, 3rd sitting, plenary session
The main social issue is the integration and linguistic environment of Ukrainian war refugees. Emphasis is placed on the need to avoid social ghettoization and ensure the psychological well-being of children, as they are "in an extremely fragile psychological state." Proponents stress the importance of language proficiency for functioning in society, participating in extracurricular activities, and communicating with Estonian children.
2024-03-20
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary sitting
The primary social issue is the lack of social security provisions (health insurance, pension, unemployment insurance) for freelance creative professionals, a problem that has persisted for years. The speaker strongly advocates for improving the social safety net, viewing this as a crucial step in ensuring the financial stability and well-being of creative workers.
2024-02-21
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
A strong proponent of universal health insurance ("health insurance for all"), highlighting social inequality and the rise in healthcare costs caused by the uninsured population. It considers the provision of social protection (health, pension, and unemployment insurance) for freelance creative professionals a priority, to be achieved through the formalization of creative remuneration.
2024-01-24
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
The primary social issue revolves around protecting the Estonian language and cultural sphere, a goal being pursued through stricter fines and various means of enforcement. The Ministry of Education is considering expanding this scope, planning to include the topic of regional dialects in the future, thereby demonstrating a wider interest in language policy.
2024-01-18
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
The main social concern is the deepening income-based education gap, where family income directly correlates with academic results. Emphasis is placed on the need for measures that level the playing field, providing additional resources to students from poorer families while avoiding their stigmatization. Furthermore, valuing the teaching profession within society is crucial.