Agenda Profile: Riina Solman
Suffrage
2024-03-20
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, press briefing.
Political Position
The political focus is heavily directed toward suspending the voting rights of citizens of the Russian Federation and Belarus in local and presidential elections, emphasizing security considerations and the immorality of allowing citizens of an aggressor state to vote. The second main issue is support for large families, criticizing the government's ideological opposition and its disregard for constitutional protection. The positions taken are strong and presented with an urgent tone, demanding immediate legislative amendments. The political framework is value-based and aimed at criticizing the government's inaction.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in matters of electoral law and constitutional issues, citing the positions of constitutional law experts (Ülle Madise, Jüri Raidla) concerning the legal complexity of suspending voting rights. Furthermore, the speaker possesses detailed knowledge of previous family support measures designed to boost the birth rate, highlighting specific statistical data (a 25% increase in the birth rate, 2,400 children) regarding the positive impact of that earlier policy. The connection between foreign policy and defense matters is also utilized.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is direct, demanding, and urgent, emphasizing the government's inaction ("We no longer have time"). It employs both logical arguments (citing experts and public opinion) and emotional pressure, particularly concerning the protection of children and families. The style is confrontational, drawing sharp contrasts (citizens of the aggressor state versus victims) and utilizing rhetorical questions.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The Member of Parliament is actively engaged in the Riigikogu chamber, submitting interpellations to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. His/Her methods involve monitoring public discussions (specifically, the ERR program "Impulss" the previous evening) and utilizing the outcomes of those discussions to bolster his/her arguments during parliamentary debates.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
Strong opposition to the coalition's inaction regarding the suspension of voting rights, directly accusing the Social Democrats (naming Katri Raik) of fighting against and blocking the proposed amendment. Coalition ministers are criticized for their ideological opposition to large families, putting them through the wringer and ignoring them. The criticism targets both political inaction and ideological attitudes.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker recalls positive past cooperation with the minister (during the Isamaa period) regarding the establishment of support for large families, suggesting a potential return to their common ground. However, current interaction is mainly oppositional, focused on demanding the implementation of the points agreed upon in the coalition agreement.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is clearly on national legislative changes (suffrage, electoral law) and the national demographic situation in Estonia (birth rate). The international context is presented through the prism of security, addressing the voting rights of citizens of the Russian Federation and Belarus in Estonia.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The negative effect of tax hikes on family confidence has been noted in relation to the falling birth rate, but there is no broader overview of economic policy positions, budgetary discipline, or regulations.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Social policy places a strong emphasis on large families, a demographic considered to be under special constitutional protection, yet one that the government disregards. Pro-natalist measures are supported to combat the low fertility rate. A change to the election law has been proposed that would grant parents a vote on behalf of their child, thereby compelling politicians to positively impact the welfare of families.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative priority is the development of a legal framework to suspend the voting rights of Russian and Belarusian citizens in local and presidential elections without amending the constitution. A second priority is amending the election law to give parents the right to vote on behalf of their child as well. The speaker is a strong proponent of these amendments and criticizes the government for failing to fulfill the coalition agreement.
2 Speeches Analyzed