Session Profile: Signe Riisalo
15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, plenary session
2025-05-14
Political Position
The politician strongly supports the bill that replaces the unemployment benefit with the basic rate of unemployment insurance, emphasizing that this will increase the number of recipients from 33% to 64% and improve the standing of people with special needs. His focus is policy-driven, centering on the funding of social services and supporting the return to the labor market. He stresses that the purpose of the benefits is to help those who have lost their jobs, not to provide income to those who have chosen not to work. He also considers it important to alleviate the resource shortage in the field of special care.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates profound expertise in the fields of social policy, unemployment insurance, and special welfare services, explaining the complex logic behind various benefits and how they can be received simultaneously. They utilize specific statistical data (e.g., the increase in the number of recipients from 33% to 64%) and sector-specific terminology (work ability allowance, subsistence benefit, inclusive education). Furthermore, the speaker is aware of the 15% increase in the special welfare budget in 2023 and the role of the private sector in service provision.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is authoritative, explanatory, and at times defensive, especially when responding to opponents who are accused of presenting half-truths and failing to delve into the proposed legislation. The speaker relies heavily on logical arguments and data to justify the policy. He balances the technical explanation with an emphasis on social concern, noting that the social sphere reflects the development level of society.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker actively participated in the bill's consultation process, personally chairing the Social Affairs Committee's supplementary engagement event to make up for the government’s initial failure.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
Opponents are directly criticized for presenting half-truths and failing to thoroughly examine the draft legislation. The criticism is aimed at political inaccuracy and procedural negligence, particularly regarding the claims that people with special needs will be placed in a worse position.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker thanks the colleagues of the Social Affairs Committee for their presentations and emphasizes the efforts toward broad inclusion, having organized two additional engagement events with all parties. He/She notes that these events resolved significant disagreements, demonstrating a readiness for procedural refinement and the search for consensus.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The emphasis is placed on the national social insurance and special care systems. While the varying resource allocation for social services by local municipalities is mentioned, a specific regional priority is lacking.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Supports targeted state funding and fiscal accountability, directing freed resources towards children's services where the need is greatest. Views unemployment insurance primarily as a measure for reintegration into the labor market, rather than as an income provision for those who have chosen not to work. Advocates for the involvement of the private sector in the social sphere, citing, for example, a 50% stake in general welfare services.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
It focuses heavily on social welfare and supporting people with special needs, emphasizing increased funding for specialized care services and services provided to children. It acknowledges the complexity of the transition from the education system to adult specialized care for young people with mental health disorders. Furthermore, it addresses the right to subsistence allowance for young people living apart from their families.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The primary legislative priority is reforming the unemployment insurance system to expand the pool of recipients and guarantee concurrent support for individuals with reduced work capacity. Furthermore, attention is focused on improving the funding and organization of specialized welfare services, allocating the released resources to services provided for children.
2 Speeches Analyzed