Session Profile: Riina Solman
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, information briefing
2024-01-17
Political Position
The speaker positions themselves as a critic of the government’s actions, focusing on security issues and the administration’s indecisiveness. There is strong support for revoking the suffrage of Russian and Belarusian citizens, which is framed as an urgent security matter. The criticism is primarily performance-based, faulting the government for its failure to prevent the teachers’ strike and for ignoring the recommendations of defense force experts.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The expertise manifests itself in the domain of security and national defense, bringing to light specific deficiencies, such as the non-establishment of a tank battalion and the failure to develop supplementary surveillance and counter-drone capabilities. Furthermore, knowledge of legislative procedures is demonstrated, criticizing the practice of shelving draft legislation and the time restriction imposed on amending the electoral law.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is critical and pressing, particularly regarding security issues, where the immediacy of the threat is highlighted (the Russian threat in three years). Contrast is employed (government actions vs. expert recommendations) along with direct questions to draw attention to the government's inconsistencies and inefficiency. The tone is formal, yet it includes emotional references (a message causing distress to hundreds of thousands of Estonians).
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker reacts quickly to current events, referring to recent coalition council meetings, the departure of the Commander of the Defence Forces, and the Prime Minister's media coverage (an interview in The Times). The addresses were delivered within the framework of the Riigikogu information hour, focusing on the Prime Minister's accountability.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary conflict is with the government and the prime minister, who face criticism over their policies (specifically, ignoring defense experts) and procedural missteps (such as shelving the election rights bill). There is also a noted internal storm of indignation within the Reform Party regarding the prime minister's messaging, which points to the government's inherent weakness. The criticism is intense, accusing the government of selectively safeguarding national security.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker urges greater parliamentary cooperation in resolving security matters so that the Riigikogu can jointly address the issue of electoral rights. The government is also encouraged to allow its representatives to genuinely make their own decisions, citing the desire to see a more independent role for the Riigikogu, rather than serving as a rubber stamp for the government.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is on national security and legislative matters (car tax, voting rights, national defense). The significant international context involves the suffrage of Russian and Belarusian citizens and Russia’s potential threat to NATO borders.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
From an economic perspective, a critical stance has been highlighted regarding the draft car tax, which is considered to be causing public distress. The failure to call off the teachers' strike is also mentioned, pointing to the government's inability to resolve wage policy conflicts.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The primary social and security concern is the revocation of voting rights for citizens of Russia and Belarus. This is being addressed as an urgent security matter, underscoring the priority of national security. The education issue relates to the context of the teachers' strike.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on the urgent processing of the electoral rights bill, requiring its immediate submission to the Riigikogu, despite the lack of coalition consensus. The handling of the car tax bill is also being criticized, along with the government's tendency to keep important legislation shelved.
2 Speeches Analyzed