Session Profile: Signe Riisalo
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
2025-04-23
Political Position
The speaker strongly supports two socio-political initiatives: accession to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, and the legalization of end-of-life declarations. Their position is primarily policy-based and procedural, focusing on the implementation of legislation and international obligations. They emphasize the need to respect individual will and autonomy.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates thorough knowledge of social committee topics, particularly in the field of international human rights conventions (CEDAW, Convention on the Rights of the Child) and health law. They present detailed statistical data regarding gender-related complaints in Estonia for the years 2021–2023, and clarify legal nuances, distinguishing an end-of-life declaration of intent (or: advance directive) from euthanasia and assisted suicide.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is highly formal, pragmatic, and procedural, characteristic of a steering committee representative providing a summary. The speaker concentrates on logical arguments, detailing the progression of the committee's deliberations, explanations provided by the ministries, and the final voting results. The tone is neutral and informative, avoiding emotional appeals.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is an active member and representative of the Social Affairs Committee, who has participated in the preparation and discussion of several draft acts (on April 14) and coordinated work with ministries and other committees. They are fulfilling the role of rapporteur before the Riigikogu plenary session, presenting the committee's decisions and answering questions.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The speaker does not directly criticize opponents but neutrally conveys the concerns and questions raised in the committee regarding the scope of the bills or their legal ramifications. He highlights questions posed by colleagues and guests (e.g., Varro Vooglaid, Priit Sibul) related to the absence of conventions addressing the discrimination of men and the legal consequences of failing to execute an end-of-life declaration.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker is highly collaborative, emphasizing the consensual nature of the committee's decisions across several procedural points. He/She considers it crucial to involve various stakeholders in the discussions, including parliamentary factions, the Estonian Council of Churches, and healthcare providers, to ensure a comprehensive treatment of delicate issues.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is clearly on international conventions (UN) and national legislation (Estonian courts, the health information system). The practices of 16 other countries regarding end-of-life declarations of intent are also mentioned. Regional or local topics are absent.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Insufficient data.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The main social issues addressed are gender equality and the elimination of discrimination against women, as well as patient autonomy in matters of end-of-life care. The speaker emphasizes that an end-of-life declaration of intent is neither euthanasia nor assisted suicide, and also discusses the social signal that this draft legislation sends to society.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is currently on the processing of two draft bills: the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, and a bill concerning the health information system aimed at legalizing end-of-life declarations (advance directives). The speaker’s role, as the representative of the responsible committee, is to move the procedure forward, propose the conclusion of the first reading, and set the deadline for amendments.
7 Speeches Analyzed