Agenda Profile: Riina Solman

First Reading of the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu "Making a Proposal to the Government of the Republic for Increasing the Birth Rate of the Estonian People" (283 OE)

2024-03-13

15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary sitting.

Political Position
The political stance is heavily geared towards resolving the demographic crisis and supporting large families, endorsing the draft legislation designed to boost the birth rate. It is stressed that the state must fulfill its constitutional obligation to provide special support to large families, given their high risk of poverty. We stand in sharp opposition to the coalition's policies, which have cut benefits for large families (€200) and introduced new taxes (like the car tax) that effectively penalize families.

3 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates profound expertise in the fields of demography and social policy, referencing the fertility rate (1.4) and the replacement rate. Scientific sources are utilized to substantiate their claims, citing demographer Jaak Valge, data from Statistics Estonia, and the commented edition of the Constitution regarding the poverty risk faced by large families.

3 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The tone of the speech is critical, urgent, and at times confrontational, especially directed at the government and the Minister of Social Protection. Both logical arguments are employed (referencing statistics and the constitution) and emotional appeals, stressing the unfair treatment of large families and procedural manipulation. The style is formal, yet it contains sharp accusations aimed at political opponents.

3 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is actively involved in parliamentary work, attending interest group hearings in both the Social Affairs Committee and the Finance Committee. They are noted for having asked questions of the Prime Minister on Monday evening and for communicating with the association for large families, indicating consistent engagement both in the plenary hall and within the committees.

3 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary opponents are the Reform Party and Minister of Social Affairs Signe Riisalo, who face criticism both for their political decisions (such as benefit cuts and the car tax) and for procedural unfairness. The particularly sharp criticism stems from the fact that the Association of Large Families was not invited to the car tax debate, whereas the NGO ÕRN, which supports the government's policy, was invited. Controlled migration is categorically rejected as a proposed solution to the labor shortage.

3 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker endorses Jaak Valge's draft legislation and points to the previously broad, cross-party support for benefits aimed at large families, noting that every party except the Reform Party had backed the measure. They are cooperating closely with the Association of Families with Many Children, representing their letters of concern and appeals in the Riigikogu. There is no apparent readiness to compromise with the ruling coalition; rather, the speaker emphasizes the coalition's responsibility for exacerbating the ongoing birth rate crisis.

3 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
Focus is being placed on rural areas, stressing that the reduction in funding for extracurricular activities and the car tax will hit families in these regions particularly hard. The accessibility of hobby groups for children in rural areas is deemed a crucial topic.

3 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic perspectives center on social support, stressing the necessity of increasing child benefits, given that large families face a high risk of poverty and struggle more to generate income. There is opposition to new taxes (such as the car tax) that increase the financial burden on families. Investing in families is viewed as a necessary measure to secure the size of the future labor force.

3 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The central social theme is the birth rate crisis and supporting large families as a national priority. It is emphasized that raising children constitutes important work in the context of the Estonian state. Support for large families is paramount, and controlled migration is rejected as a solution.

3 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The main legislative focus is supporting Bill 283 OE, which proposes that the government take steps to increase the birth rate of the Estonian people. Additionally, the focus is on opposing the car tax initiated by the government and demanding the reinstatement of benefits taken away from large families (the 200 euros and the extracurricular activity allowance).

3 Speeches Analyzed