Session Profile: Riina Sikkut
15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, plenary session
2025-05-14
Political Position
The speaker holds a strongly progressive and values-based political position, supporting the improvement of gender balance (the 60:40 principle) in the governing bodies of listed companies, and identifying as a social democrat and a feminist. They consider the representation of Estonian women in management bodies (10–11%) to be exceptionally poor and support the introduction of quotas as a necessary measure to reduce inequality. The speaker is idealistic, standing in opposition to conservative cynics.
25 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrated in-depth knowledge of the legislative process, serving as a representative of the Finance Committee and detailing the stages of the bill's procedure, deadlines, and the substance of the proposed amendments. They utilized specific terminology (equity issuers, the Financial Supervision Authority, underrepresented gender) and supported their arguments with social data, citing women's high educational attainment (70% of higher education graduates) and the segregation present in the labor market.
25 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The speaker’s rhetorical style is formal and detailed when presenting the draft proposal, but becomes passionate and confident when answering questions. She/He uses strong value-based arguments (the necessity of including the experience of competent women in the decision-making process) and is prepared to respond to sharp attacks directly, labeling opponents as prejudiced or cynical.
25 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is an active legislator, deeply involved in the handling of the draft bill within the Finance Committee, leading the second reading and proposing the final vote for May 21st. He/She referenced the committee sessions (May 5th) and the collection and consideration of opinions from interest groups (the Bar Association, Port of Tallinn, and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry).
25 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The speaker criticizes those who systematically raise topics like transgenderism or "quotas for Black homosexuals," viewing these issues as a distraction from the discussion. He/She opposes those who consider women in leadership positions less competent, accusing them of holding prejudiced attitudes that impede the advancement of qualified women.
25 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker emphasized the consensus-based decision-making process within the Finance Committee, where the proposal put forward by Chairperson Annely Akkermann concerning the deadlines was supported. He/She is collaborating with the Ministry of Finance and various interest groups, and points out that the draft legislation under consideration represents a compromise at the European level.
25 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is clearly at the international (transposition of the EU directive) and national level, addressing Estonian listed companies and state-owned enterprises. There is no regional or local focus, although large national companies such as Port of Tallinn and Eesti Energia are mentioned.
25 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The speaker advocates for targeted regulation of listed companies to achieve social objectives, finding it a necessary measure for improving gender balance. They argue that this is not onerous, as the activities of listed companies are already heavily regulated, and they believe that balanced governing bodies make better decisions.
25 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The speaker is a passionate advocate for gender equality, supporting the implementation of quotas (60:40) to improve female representation in governing bodies. He/She emphasizes that the directive specifically addresses men and women (biological sex) and rejects introducing the topic of transgenderism into the discussion, viewing it as a topic "imported from across the ocean" that has little relevance to the processes currently underway in Estonia.
25 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The main legislative priority is the draft amendment to the Securities Market Act, which transposes the EU directive aimed at improving gender balance in the management bodies of listed companies. The speaker, as a representative of the Finance Committee, is an active proponent and driver of this draft legislation, having successfully reached an agreement to shift the notification deadline to June 30, 2026.
25 Speeches Analyzed