Agenda Profile: Riina Solman
Third reading of the draft law amending the Family Benefits Act and other laws (547 SE)
2025-03-19
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
Political Position
The political position is dual: there is strong support for a specific bill aimed at standardizing the survivor's benefit, which is deemed a right and commendable step. However, the government coalition's previous actions are sharply criticized, as these have significantly worsened the well-being of children, particularly those in large families. The political focus is value-based, emphasizing the economic security of families and the threat posed by declining birth rates. The speaker accuses the government of taking three steps backward before making the current small step forward.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in the field of social benefits and family allowances, highlighting specific figures and the indexation principles for the new survivor's benefit (the base amount is 272 euros, with a forecast of 345 euros by 2026). This expertise is bolstered by personal experience as a single parent who has received similar support. Reference is also made to studies on women and families that address the economic barriers to having children.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is formal yet passionate, combining political analysis (indexing, risk of poverty) with a strong emotional appeal (a personal story, concern over the birth rate). Sharp criticism and irony are directed at the government, referencing their previous negative actions and "thanking the party" for a small positive initiative. Figurative expressions are used, such as "birth rate plummeting like a stone" and "three steps back."
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
No data available
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main adversary is the government coalition, which is sharply criticized for political decisions that have damaged the economic situation of families with children. The criticism is policy-driven, focusing on tax hikes and cuts to family benefits, which deepen uncertainty and reduce the desire to have children. Particular criticism is directed at the cuts that were made "based on an Excel spreadsheet" and which affected the hobby group allowance for large families.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker notes that the Isamaa faction supports the bill, citing internal cooperation within the faction. They also agree with the position of the previous speaker (Tanel Kiik), which demonstrates cross-party support for this specific piece of draft legislation. However, overall cooperation with the government remains strained, as the speaker sharply criticizes the coalition's broader policy aimed at families.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The speaker emphasizes that the government’s negative decisions, such as the withdrawal of support for extracurricular activities for large families and the imposition of the car tax, affect the residents of rural areas the most severely. The distribution of this support was specifically aimed at large families, most of whom reside in rural areas.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The economic platform focuses on supporting families and alleviating the tax burden. The speaker is vehemently opposed to the proposed increases in VAT and car tax, noting their disproportionate impact on large families with high consumption rates. Furthermore, they criticize the elimination of joint income tax filing and associated tax relief for spouses. They advocate for indexing social benefits to the rising cost of living to ensure long-term financial stability.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The central social theme revolves around family welfare and demographic security. Emphasis is placed on the need to support children and families, especially large families and single parents, in order to prevent declining birth rates and ensure the survival of the nation. The speaker directly links economic obstacles to the failure of desired children to be born.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The main legislative focus is on supporting the draft Act amending the Family Benefits Act and other acts (547 SE), which creates a unified and indexed scheme for survivor's benefits. The speaker is a strong proponent of this specific draft. Simultaneously, there is a demand for the reversal of previous negative legislative changes (e.g., cuts to family benefits, the car tax).
2 Speeches Analyzed