Session Profile: Riina Solman
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, information briefing
2024-01-24
Political Position
The speaker vehemently opposes the proposed car tax bill and criticizes the government’s steamroller tactics, specifically condemning the use of coalition parliamentary groups as a rubber stamp. The primary focus is on security, urgently demanding the revocation of voting rights for Russian and Belarusian citizens in local elections given the current state of war. Emphasis is also placed on the necessity of finding additional funding to resolve the ongoing teachers' strike. The overall framing is primarily policy- and performance-based, stressing the imperative need to restore parliamentary democracy.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates knowledge of legislative procedures and the roles of institutions, referencing the Ministry of Justice's analysis, the State Comptroller's guidelines, and issues concerning constitutional amendments. Particular attention is paid to the legal feasibility of restricting suffrage, highlighting the contradictions between the analyses provided by the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Justice. The speaker is also aware of the date of the European Parliament elections and the possibilities for holding a referendum.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The tone is critical, urgent, and combative, especially concerning the government's inaction and procedural errors ("why are you dragging this out," "this is unacceptable"). Strong metaphors such as "steamroller politics" and "rubber stamp" are used to criticize the government. The appeals are primarily logical, focusing on the security threat and saving state money, but they also include an emotional reference to the "distress" caused by the car tax.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speeches were delivered during the information session, and they reference recent events, such as the submission of the car tax bill last week. This pattern indicates active and well-timed intervention during plenary sessions, focusing on high-profile political conflicts and government inaction. The upcoming European Parliament elections on June 9th are also mentioned as a potential opportunity to hold a referendum.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponent is the government coalition, especially the prime minister and the Social Democrats, who are accused of refusing to address security issues. The criticism is both procedural (being used as a rubber stamp) and substantive, accusing certain parties (SDE, Center Party) of representing the interests of residents who hold the values of a terrorist state. The attacks are intense, and no compromise is offered on the security question.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The style towards the coalition is confrontational, but it is emphasized that sending the car tax bill to the Riigikogu was a step in the right direction for restoring parliamentary democracy. Potential cross-party cooperation on the issue of teachers' salaries is noted, where "five out of six parties appear ready to find additional funding." Overall, the lack of internal unity within the coalition on crucial issues is emphasized.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is predominantly national (the Riigikogu, the sense of security among Estonian people) and international (Russia, Belarus, European Parliament elections). Local governments are mentioned only in the context of security regarding the issue of stripping voting rights from Russian and Belarusian citizens.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The speaker strongly opposes the introduction of the motor vehicle tax, which will cause frustration for hundreds of thousands of Estonians. Regarding the budget, they support reopening the state budget (following the Auditor General's guidelines) to secure additional funding for teachers. They emphasize saving state funds by recommending that the referendum be held concurrently with the European Parliament elections.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The main social issue is the security-related restriction of voting rights for Russian and Belarusian citizens in local elections, a measure that is viewed as unacceptable tolerance given the current wartime situation. The second crucial topic is the education sector, where demands are being made to resolve the teachers' salary issue and bring the ongoing strike to an end. The balance between security and civil rights is clearly skewed in favor of security.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
Legislative priorities include stalling the proposed car tax bill and advancing the draft legislation restricting the voting rights of Russian and Belarusian citizens. The speaker is an opponent of the car tax and a strong proponent of restricting voting rights, mandating the utilization of the Ministry of Justice's analysis. A proposal has been put forward to hold a referendum during the European Parliament elections to address the necessity of amending the constitution.
2 Speeches Analyzed