Agenda Profile: Riina Solman

Interpellation concerning Estonia's critical demographic situation (No. 597)

2024-03-11

15th Estonian Parliament, 3rd session, plenary session

Political Position
The political stance is heavily focused on the survival of the nation-state and demographic issues, stressing the critical necessity of restoring the birth rate. The speaker forcefully opposes the government's policies, which have undermined families' sense of security and cut benefits for large families. The framework is value-based, emphasizing the constitutional duty to protect the state, language, and nation. The primary concern is ensuring an adequate workforce in the future, given the conditions of declining birth rates.

3 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates high expertise in the field of population policy and demography, utilizing specific statistical indicators such as a fertility rate of 1.4 and a replacement level of 2.1. He/She refers to his/her previous role as a former Minister of Population and relies on data from Statistics Estonia to highlight the economic complexity associated with the third child. The expertise also includes knowledge regarding the proportion of large families and their contribution to raising Estonian children.

3 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is combative, insistent, and sharply critical, combining emotional appeals (families are repeatedly dealt blows, letters causing anguish) with specific demographic data. Direct accusations are leveled at the government (turning a deaf ear, mishandling large families), yet the prime minister is praised for quoting the preamble of the constitution. The overall tone is concerned and demanding, emphasizing the necessity of action.

3 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is taking part in a Riigikogu interpellation, citing active engagement with the association of large families and citizens who have communicated their concerns to him/her via letter. Mention is made of previous addresses and the submission of questions to Minister Signe Riisalo during the Social Affairs Committee sessions. This operational pattern indicates active involvement in parliamentary control mechanisms and the gathering of feedback from interest groups.

3 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The confrontation is strong and aimed squarely at the Reform Party government, Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, and Minister of Social Protection Signe Riisalo. The criticism is twofold: policy-based (citing benefit cuts and the abolition of income tax relief) and moral, accusing the government of antagonizing families with children. The speaker specifically condemns the breaking of promises and the comparison of mothers in large families to marginalized individuals, demanding a review of the minister's activities.

3 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Insufficient information. The speaker primarily highlights the government's inability to listen (deaf ears) to the concerns of the association of large families and others, which suggests a lack of cooperation with the government. However, previous cooperation in adopting the third child benefit indicates an ability to find support for necessary measures.

3 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is exclusively national and ethnic, centering on the demographic survival and population recovery of Estonia as a small nation-state. Regional or local themes, projects, or communities are not addressed in the speeches.

3 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
It strongly supports the economic support of families through income tax benefits and large family allowances, viewing this as a necessary investment in the future labor pool. It opposes the government’s austerity measures (specifically the €50 million cut to the Ministry of Social Affairs) and tax hikes, which increase financial instability for families. It stresses that raising a third child is economically more challenging and requires state backing.

3 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The primary social issue is the declining birth rate and the special protection afforded to large families, which is viewed as crucial for the survival of the nation. It stands in opposition to controlled migration as a solution to the demographic crisis, prioritizing the birth of native children instead. It sharply criticizes plans to eliminate state health insurance coverage for mothers of large families.

3 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is aimed at restoring and strengthening family policy measures, particularly the large family benefits and income tax incentives that were recently abolished by the government. The speaker supports the previous aid measure (the third child benefit) and is currently a strong opponent of the government’s proposed cuts, including the planned abolition of health insurance. They demand that the Prime Minister review the actions of the Minister of Social Protection.

3 Speeches Analyzed