Riina Solman

AI Profiling: Riina Solman

Agenda items: 175

3220/3220 profiling (100.0%)

Total Speeches: 474

Analysis Period: 2024-01-08 - 2025-09-25

Political Position
The political position throughout the entire observed period has been strongly national-conservative and fiercely oppositional, focusing on three main themes: opposition to government tax increases (including the car tax) and cuts (especially to family and social benefits), solving the demographic crisis through constitutional values, and strengthening national security by demanding restrictions on the voting rights of citizens from aggressor states. Opposition to the government has been consistently sharp, accusing it of incompetence, unethical behavior, and harming vulnerable groups (large families, pensioners, people with disabilities). The political framework is predominantly value-based, emphasizing the preservation of nation, language, and culture, but also includes strong performance-based criticism regarding the failure of reforms and the deepening of regional marginalization.
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates the most consistent and profound expertise in the fields of population policy, demography, and social welfare, where they repeatedly draw upon previous ministerial experience and cite specific statistical data regarding birth rates, natural increase, and benefits. Beyond demography, the speaker shows a strong grasp of topics related to energy (security of supply, costs of the green transition), national defense (specific requirements, hybrid threats), and taxation (legislative details, impact assessments). Their argumentation is methodical, often relying on audits conducted by the National Audit Office, data from Statistics Estonia, and specific articles of the Constitution, demonstrating detailed familiarity with both legislation and economic forecasts. They regularly cite specific experts (demographers, energy specialists) and institutions (Kapo, Elering, the Estonian Institute of Economic Research) as authoritative sources, underscoring a detailed awareness of technical and financial nuances.
Rhetorical Style
The politician’s rhetorical style is consistently combative, insistent, and sharply critical, focusing on constant confrontation with the government’s actions and perceived political incivility, often employing a tone of urgency and concern. The rhetoric relies on a strong emotional appeal, leveraging moralizing judgments and references to vulnerable demographics (large families, the elderly), while simultaneously balancing this with demands for specific data, detailed policy analysis, and logical arguments. Although the style remains formal within the official setting of the Riigikogu (Parliament), it is enriched by sharp personal attacks, irony, rhetorical questions, and vivid metaphors ("steamroller," "smoke and mirrors"), emphasizing the opponents’ lack of ethics and repeatedly accusing them of lying and arrogant behavior.
Activity Patterns
The politician's activity pattern during the period under review has been exceptionally active and sustained. This is primarily focused on detailed and consistent oversight of the government within the Riigikogu chamber, evidenced by the repeated monthly submission of interpellations to nearly all ministers and the prime minister. His parliamentary duties are closely linked to his role as Deputy Chairman of the Social Affairs Committee, and his style is characterized as thorough, procedural, and detailed, often requiring him to request additional time for the exhaustive treatment of subjects. Beyond intensive floor work, he actively engages with various interest groups (such as large families, pensioners, and entrepreneurs) and participates in security and foreign policy initiatives, including visits to Israel.
Opposition Stance
The opposition’s stance is persistently and intensely directed against the government coalition led by the Reform Party, with the primary targets being Minister of Social Protection Signe Riisalo and the prime ministers (Kallas, Michal). The criticism is multi-layered, combining sharp political opposition (tax hikes, cuts to family benefits, electoral rights) with accusations regarding ethical responsibility and procedural violations (steamroller tactics, breaking promises, lack of proper analysis). The government is consistently accused of ignoring the populace, dividing society, and pursuing anti-family policies, often employing personal and emotionally charged rhetoric to do so. A willingness to compromise is expressed only on matters of national defense; in all other areas, the confrontation remains rigid and intense.
Collaboration Style
The politician’s cooperation style is heavily focused on joint initiatives within the faction (Isamaa) and across the opposition, stressing the continuous necessity of involving sector experts and interest groups (e.g., the Association of Large Families, demography experts) in the legislative process. Collaboration with the governing coalition is minimal and largely confrontational, particularly regarding domestic economic and social issues, where the ignoring of opposition proposals is frequently criticized. Nevertheless, a pragmatic willingness has been demonstrated to support value-based initiatives and national defense matters, seeking cross-party consensus in the area of population policy and referencing positive examples of prior inter-factional cooperation.
Regional Focus
The politician’s regional focus is consistently directed at the deepening regional inequality and the increasing marginalization of rural areas, highlighting the deteriorating living standards of rural residents (especially large families) and the loss of essential services (transport, government offices, electricity). The central target of criticism is the car tax, viewed as an unfair policy that accelerates urbanization, along with the criticized relocation of state institutions away from county centers. Ida-Virumaa is clearly the most critical focal point, where the discussion covers both socio-economic issues (preserving oil shale energy, high poverty rates) and security concerns (border checkpoints, state presence), demanding that regional hardships be alleviated through the restructuring of the equalization fund and the implementation of targeted support packages.
Economic Views
The politician's economic views are characterized by strong and consistent opposition to nearly all tax hikes (including the car tax, VAT, income tax, and excise duties), which are deemed detrimental to economic growth, inflationary, and damaging to family finances. He advocates for a market economy, demanding state austerity and fiscal discipline achieved through judicious spending choices. Simultaneously, he criticizes state grants and subsidized energy projects ( especially those related to the green transition) that increase the burden on taxpayers. Although fiscally conservative, his profile is socially sensitive, focusing on protecting the purchasing power of low-income earners. He opposes tax reforms (such as eliminating the tax 'hump' or bracket) that favor the wealthy, and stresses the necessity of supporting families as "future taxpayers." Furthermore, he calls for competitive electricity prices and criticizes the administrative burden that harms the business environment.
Social Issues
The politician's socio-political profile is staunchly social-conservative, consistently focusing on the birth rate crisis and defending support for large families, which he views as the bedrock of the nation-state's long-term viability and often references as being under special constitutional protection. He opposes mass immigration as a demographic solution, preferring pro-natalist measures, and expresses profound caution regarding progressive gender identity issues and the proposed end-of-life declaration (euthanasia) bill, while stressing the importance of accessible palliative care. Regarding the balance between security and civil liberties, he repeatedly calls for the suspension of voting rights for Russian and Belarusian citizens in local elections, deeming this a national security threat. Furthermore, he consistently defends vulnerable groups (people with disabilities, the elderly, and informal caregivers) against government budget cuts, demanding improvements in the quality and security of services.
Legislative Focus
The politician’s legislative work is predominantly oppositional, centered on actively resisting the government’s tax policy (particularly the car tax and excise duty hikes) and social spending cuts (family benefits). To achieve this, they frequently utilize interpellations and motions to interrupt proceedings. The most persistent and priority issue is restricting the voting rights of citizens of aggressor states in local elections. The demand for the necessary legal framework for this is consistently reiterated, alongside criticism of the government's inaction. He/She is a strong advocate for the social sector, supporting increases in family benefits, lowering the VAT on cancer medicines, and preserving targeted tax exemptions for people with disabilities. Furthermore, he/she is critical of attempts to nationalize the pharmaceutical market.