Session Profile: Signe Riisalo
15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary sitting.
2025-09-17
Political Position
The political focus is on family policy, demography, and increasing the birth rate. The speaker is moderately opposed to the specific draft bill that has been presented, arguing that it is too costly (50–55 million euros) and poorly targeted for poverty alleviation. A value-based and evidence-based approach is preferred, one that would take into account all seven different concerns facing families.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates high expertise in the field of social and family benefits, using specific financial figures and statistics (e.g., 50–55 million in costs, 10 million in indexation costs). The continuous reference to evidence-based analysis by researchers and experts (15 measures, 7 concerns) emphasizes authority and the demand for complex solutions.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is analytical and substantive, emphasizing logic, cost comparison, and evidence-based reasoning. The speaker uses formal language and structures their arguments through the analysis of alternatives and target groups, urging them to make "smart choices." The first speech also highlighted the role of the session chair in reminding participants of the procedural rules.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is active in the Riigikogu plenary session and regularly participates in the public media space, referencing their ERR op-ed published at the end of August. They also refer to the press release from the Social Affairs Committee meeting, which demonstrates their involvement in the committee's work.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The criticism is aimed at the proponents of the specific draft bill, who are accused of proposing an inefficient and overly costly solution that fails to target poverty effectively. The criticism is based on policy and resources, not personal grounds, and stresses that there is no point in forcing one's way through an open door.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker is open to cooperation and strongly emphasizes the need for a societal consensus on family policy issues to avoid endless debate. He/She expresses satisfaction and agreement with the views of opposition politicians (Isamaa and the Social Democrats) regarding the complexity of the solutions.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
Not enough data.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic viewpoints stress fiscal responsibility and resource targeting, preferring more affordable solutions (such as indexation, which would cost 10 million) to costly, one-off increases (50–55 million). Poverty alleviation is supported through targeted assistance for vulnerable groups, ensuring the efficient use of scarce resources.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The primary social focus is on supporting families with children and reducing child poverty. Emphasis is placed on the need to target the most vulnerable groups, such as single parents, large families (starting from the fourth child), and families with disabilities, in order to address poverty-related issues.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is currently on opposing the specific bill for raising family benefits, as it is considered too costly and merely a one-off measure. The preference is for a broader, comprehensive action plan that would encompass changes to parental benefits, housing affordability, and work-family life reconciliation, alongside alternative measures such as the indexation of benefits.
3 Speeches Analyzed