Agenda Profile: Riina Solman
Overview of the Implementation of the "Fundamental Principles of Law-Making Policy Until 2030" in 2023.
2024-12-16
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
Political Position
The political stance centers on strong criticism directed at the government for creating legislative chaos and a crisis of trust. The speaker demands predictability in the legal system and sound legislative practice, while opposing unanalyzed austerity measures and the breaking of promises in social policy. The main priorities are security, regional policy, and supporting families, stressing that legislative action must earn the public's trust.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise on the quality of legislation, regional policy, and the transposition of European Union law. They use technical terms such as "good legislative practice" and refer to prior work experience at the Ministry of Justice as a public relations manager and advisor between 2015 and 2019. A separate concern is raised regarding the clarity of laws and the absence of evidence-based analysis, with references also made to security experts and demographers.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is critical and insistent, employing strong emotional appeals, especially on the topics of children's safety and the government's broken promises ("my heart aches," "unbelievably reckless behavior"). The speaker balances the description of practical concerns (e.g., the TikTok case) with high-level legal and political analysis, highlighting the crisis of trust and the forgetting of the spirit of the constitution. He begins with specific examples drawn from the media (Elu24, Karl Reispass) and subsequently moves on to broader political and security issues.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is actively participating in the Riigikogu debate, posing questions to the minister and providing feedback on earlier answers. To gather information, he/she refers both to media outlets (Elu24) and to high-level security conferences attended by senior state officials. The pace of the discussion is tied to the specific agenda item (Overview of the Fundamentals of Legislative Policy) and the minister's presence.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main confrontation is aimed at the government and the Ministry of Justice, who are accused of breaking promises, implementing cuts without proper analysis, and causing legislative chaos. The criticism is intense, focusing both on political decisions (such as the removal of family benefits and the closure of the Jõhvi courthouse) and procedural shortcomings (lack of transparency and the exclusion of stakeholders). The government is accused of having completely undermined consistency and triggering a crisis of trust.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Not enough data
3 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The strong regional focus is currently on Ida-Viru County, particularly Jõhvi, where the speaker is actively opposing the closure of the local courthouse, viewing it as a security risk. Emphasis is placed on the necessity of maintaining state agency representation in the eastern border regions, with Southeast Estonia and Põlva also being mentioned. The physical presence of courthouses is deemed symbolically crucial for guaranteeing the local population's sense of security and stability.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic perspectives are critical of the government's unanalyzed austerity policy, which harms vulnerable groups. Calls are being made for a competitive business environment and predictability in the legal framework, while simultaneously criticizing tax hikes and the breaking of promises. The cuts are viewed as having been made in haste and implemented as orders without any long-term analysis.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Among social issues, the safety of children online and family policy are at the forefront. The speaker demands proactive legislation to protect children from harmful and inappropriate statements (referencing the Karl Reispass case) and sharply criticizes the government for breaking its word regarding cuts to family benefits. He emphasizes that withdrawing these promises at a time when the birth rate is at its lowest is unbelievably reckless behavior.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on improving the quality of law-making, requiring clarity in legislation, justified amendments, and evidence-based analysis. The speaker criticizes the non-transparent transposition of European Union law, where Estonian legislation incorporates more requirements than EU law actually mandates. He demands that the legislative process ensures transparency and the involvement of stakeholders, which did not happen in the case of tax and family policy.
3 Speeches Analyzed