Agenda Profile: Riina Solman
Inquiry regarding elementary school textbooks (no. 672)
2025-01-27
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
Political Position
The political focus is heavily centered on the controversial nature of social and educational value questions, particularly concerning how gender identity issues are addressed in textbooks. The speaker casts doubt on the existence of political consensus both in Estonia and globally, and criticizes the ministry's actions, calling it the "marketing" of the issue. The stance is strongly value-driven and confrontational.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates awareness of the medical consequences (lifelong medication use, regret), referencing the positions held by "our doctors." Detailed data or statistics are lacking, with the arguments relying instead on social and developmental psychological factors (the developing nervous system).
1 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is critical and cautionary, employing rhetorical questions (e.g., "How far will this take us?"). It utilizes both logical appeals (the lack of political consensus) and strong emotional and hyperbolic examples (a child wanting to be a cat or a tree) to underscore the danger of the issue. The tone is formal, but the content is sharply oppositional.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
There is not enough data.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main criticism is aimed at the minister and the ministry, who are addressing the topic of gender identity and incorporating it into textbooks. The criticism is intense, accusing the ministry of "marketing" the subject and creating doubts about gender identity among young people. The opposition is both substantive and procedural (citing a lack of political debate).
1 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
There is not enough data.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is on Estonia's education policy and the lack of political consensus within the country. However, international examples (Finland) and references to global political consensus are also utilized to establish context.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
There is not enough data.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Among social issues, the most prominent is strong opposition to the discussion of gender identity topics in school textbooks. The speaker stresses the need to protect minors, who possess a "developing nervous system," citing medical risks and the potential for identity loss. The subject is being approached from a moral and values-based perspective.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The focus is on scrutinizing and criticizing the content of educational materials within the education sector, presented in the form of a formal inquiry (interpellation). The speaker acts as an adversary to the existing or proposed educational content, demanding clarification regarding the achievement of political consensus.
1 Speeches Analyzed