Agenda Profile: Riina Solman
Draft law on the 2025 state budget (513 SE) - first reading
2024-10-16
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting
Political Position
The political stance is strongly oppositional, focusing on cuts to benefits for vulnerable target groups (stay-at-home mothers, pensioners requiring special care). The speaker views these cuts, which affect family benefits and health insurance, as sending a very negative signal. Clarity is also demanded regarding the justification for both the funds allocated to the state's green technology initiatives and the social cuts being made in the name of security.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates awareness of the specific figures regarding budget cuts in the social sector, citing a €1.3 million reduction applied both to mothers' health insurance and the single pensioner's allowance. They rely on expert opinion, referencing warnings from demographers about the negative signal sent by cutting family benefits. Furthermore, the detailed quantification of state investments (in green technology) is also a key focus.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is sharp and confrontational, featuring both detailed questions about the budget and personal criticism aimed at the minister's verbal conduct towards female politicians ("verbally roughing up"). Strong emotional appeals are employed, linking them to specific financial cut figures, and reference is made to the fundamental nature of politics ("politics is the art of signals").
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The pattern of action relates to the Parliament sessions where direct questions are put to ministers concerning the draft 2025 state budget. The speaker concentrates on verifying the assertions made in the ministers' addresses and demanding the full disclosure of details.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main confrontation is directed against the policies of the minister and the government, criticizing both the budget cuts and the minister's personal conduct for the verbal attacks against female politicians (Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart, Moonika Helme). The cuts are deemed unfair, and their justification based on security is questioned, with critics ironically asking how much ammunition can actually be purchased with that money.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Data is scarce.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is strictly national, addressing the general and social measures of the state budget (family benefits, health insurance, and support for pensioners). There is no reference to specific regional problems or projects.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic perspectives stress the importance of social safety nets, taking a stand against cuts that impact vulnerable groups. They demand clarity regarding state investments (specifically green technology) and challenge the direct connection between social spending cuts and security requirements, implying that the cuts lack adequate political justification.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
In the social sphere, strong protection is afforded to mothers raising children at home and to pensioners receiving special care, while opposing cuts to health insurance and benefits for single pensioners. It is emphasized that policy must send positive signals to the vulnerable target groups highlighted by demographers.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on contesting the 2025 State Budget Act draft (513 SE), particularly regarding the amendments concerning cuts to family benefits and the abolition of social security. The speaker is acting as a strong opponent of the draft law’s structure and its social measures.
2 Speeches Analyzed