Agenda Profile: Riina Solman
Second reading of the draft law on the 2025 state budget (513 SE)
2024-11-13
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session.
Political Position
The politician strongly opposes the government's proposed cut, which involves withdrawing the single-living pensioner's allowance from those receiving 24/7 care, deeming it unfair treatment of the most vulnerable target group. Furthermore, he stresses the necessity of ensuring adequate funding for the Chancellery of the Riigikogu (Parliament) to modernize IT systems and address the salary deficit for civil servants. His views are strongly value-driven, focusing on protecting vulnerable groups and ensuring the dignified operation of state institutions.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates detailed knowledge of the state budget, particularly concerning social expenditures (citing a saving of 1.3 million euros) and the administrative costs of the Riigikogu Chancellery. They are up-to-date on the discussions held in the Social Affairs Committee and know the percentage impact that rising IT and utility costs have on the budget.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is critical and deeply concerned, utilizing emotional appeals to emphasize the vulnerability and injustice faced by the elderly, going so far as to label the cuts "outrageous." However, the author supports these claims by mentioning specific figures and administrative problems (such as IT system failures and wage stagnation), thus balancing the emotional and logical aspects of the approach.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is actively participating in the second reading of the draft state budget bill, posing questions to the Chairman of the Finance Committee. He refers to his previous participation in the sittings of the Social Affairs Committee and the Riigikogu sittings, where the IT systems failed.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The confrontation is aimed at the government's budget priorities, criticizing them for unethical cuts made at the expense of the most vulnerable target group, while noting that the cut itself is negligible considering the overall size of the state budget. He/She also criticizes the government's inaction regarding the funding of the Riigikogu (Parliament) administration and IT investments.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
There is no direct reference to collaboration, but the speaker refers to their participation in the Social Affairs Committee, where they raised the issue of budget cuts, demonstrating involvement in the legislative process. They address the Chairman of the Finance Committee for substantive comments.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is placed on national issues: the state budget, nationwide social benefits, and the administrative matters of the Riigikogu Chancellery. Regional focus is absent.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
It supports the prioritization of social expenditures for the protection of vulnerable groups and considers small cuts (1.3 million) unjustified when they are made at the expense of the elderly. It advocates for sufficient investment in public infrastructure (IT) and supports raising the salaries of Riigikogu officials due to inflation and the existing wage lag.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Strong support for backing the elderly and pensioners receiving care services, considering them the most vulnerable target group. [The statement] expresses the view that supporting the elderly should be a higher priority than "dealing with gender self-determination."
4 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The main legislative focus is opposing the draft 2025 state budget act (513 SE) due to the cuts to the allowance for pensioners living alone. A secondary focus is resolving the investment issues of the Riigikogu Chancellery and the salary problems of officials.
4 Speeches Analyzed