Agenda Profile: Riina Solman
Voting rights of Russian citizens
2024-01-24
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, information briefing
Political Position
The political platform is heavily focused on security, demanding that Russian and Belarusian citizens be stripped of their voting rights in local elections, arguing that allowing this is unacceptable given the current wartime situation. Furthermore, the speaker criticizes the government's "steamroller policy" and the proposed car tax, while simultaneously supporting a quick resolution to the teachers' pay issue. The central focus remains on underscoring the government's operational inefficiency and highlighting security risks.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in the fields of security and lawmaking, referencing the Ministry of Justice's analysis regarding the possibility of restricting voting rights without amending the constitution. Furthermore, they are familiar with the State Auditor General's guidelines concerning the necessity of opening the state budget to resolve the issue of teachers' salaries. They emphasize the need to utilize the European Parliament elections to organize a referendum, thereby preventing the blocking of the Riigikogu.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is sharp, urgent, and confrontational, emphasizing the government's stalling tactics and the lack of consensus within the coalition. Strong political terms are employed, such as "steamroller politics," "rubber stamp," and "residents who uphold the values of a terrorist state." The speaker poses direct questions to the minister, demanding clarification regarding why the analyses are sitting shelved.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The discussion is held as part of the Riigikogu (Parliament) information session, during which direct questions are posed to the Minister of Justice. The observed patterns of activity point to active involvement in parliamentary debates and continuous oversight of government operations, referencing both the events of the previous week and the preceding information session.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary opposition is aimed at the governing coalition, particularly the Social Democrats, who stand accused of refusing to address security matters and of fostering divisive discord that fragments society. The Centre Party and the SDE are also criticized for representing the interests of Russian voters, which impedes the handling of security threats. The criticism targets both the political substance and procedural stalling.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The cooperative style is pragmatic, highlighting the willingness of five parties to resolve the issue of teachers' salaries, which suggests the potential for broad-based collaboration. In the matter of security, however, the lack of coalition consensus is viewed as an obstacle that should be circumvented through a referendum.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is on national security issues and nationwide legislative amendments concerning local government elections and the state budget. Specific regional or local projects are not being highlighted.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The economic platform encompasses opposition to the car tax and support for locating the necessary additional funding for teachers' salary increases, a measure that requires reopening the state budget. Furthermore, emphasis is placed on saving state funds, specifically by recommending that a referendum be held concurrently with the European Parliament elections.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The main social issue is the restriction of voting rights for Russian and Belarusian citizens in local elections, which is being treated as a direct security concern. It is emphasized that Estonia has demonstrated unacceptable tolerance towards non-citizens in a wartime situation.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on reviving the draft bill concerning the restriction of voting rights and fast-tracking its passage, potentially via a referendum held concurrently with the European Parliament elections. Furthermore, priorities include stalling the proposed car tax bill and revising the state budget to finance teacher salary increases, in line with the State Auditor General's directives.
2 Speeches Analyzed