Session Profile: Riina Solman
Fifteenth Riigikogu, third sitting, plenary session
2024-03-07
Political Position
The speaker's political position is strongly critical of the government's energy policy, emphasizing the priority of energy security and affordable electricity prices. He opposes state subsidies for offshore wind farms, viewing this as a violation of free-market principles and preferring instead to find a holistic solution. The political framework is geared towards revitalizing the economy through competitively priced energy and prioritizing national interests.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates a thorough knowledge of the energy sector, addressing topics ranging from renewable energy (offshore wind) and dispatchable capacity (nuclear, oil shale) to grid security (submarine cables, Elektrilevi) and price competitiveness. They reference specific investments (€100 million) and economic losses (the Estlink 2 failure), employing an analytical approach to solving the energy security puzzle.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The tone of the speech is predominantly concerned and critical, highlighting the stagnation of the Estonian economy and the hardships faced by residents in rural areas. He uses both logical arguments (market economy, competitiveness) and figurative comparisons (the energy puzzle, corner pieces), starting with praise for the minister but quickly shifting to sharp criticism of the government. The style is formal and thorough, necessitating additional time for an exhaustive treatment of the subject.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker participated in the Riigikogu plenary session, delivering a long and substantive debate speech that focused on a comprehensive analysis of energy issues. Their pattern of activity involves presenting opposition criticism of the government's policy, offering both specific questions and extensive viewpoints.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main criticism is aimed at the government and the leading party (the Reform Party), accusing them of abandoning the principles of the market economy and allocating a 2 billion euro subsidy to an offshore wind energy developer. The criticism is intense and politically charged, pointing to the cancellation of Elektrilevi investments and the disregard for supply security, which has resulted in life in rural areas becoming impossible.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker initially expressed limited recognition toward Minister Michal, commending him for presenting a comprehensive overview for the first time—a gesture that hints at a willingness to acknowledge positive initiatives. Nevertheless, the general approach remains oppositional, centered on articulating Isamaa's viewpoints and exposing the government's failures, rather than issuing a direct call for collaboration.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
A strong regional focus is placed on the security of supply in rural areas, criticizing the government's decision to cancel investments intended for upgrading the electricity grid, a move that left rural residents without power for weeks. Attention is also drawn to the social repercussions in Ida-Virumaa stemming from the accelerated phase-out of oil shale energy.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The speaker is a strong advocate for the market economy, opposing state subsidies and demanding that electricity be offered to businesses at a competitive price. He stresses that the Estonian economy is languishing due to electricity prices being higher than those of its neighbors, and supports providing investment certainty to revitalize the economy.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The speaker focuses on the social consequences stemming from inadequate energy policy, citing the difficulties rural residents face in coping and the social instability in Ida-Virumaa resulting from the demonization of oil shale. He emphasizes that in the absence of solutions, one must not spit on the existing wealth (oil shale).
5 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The speaker's legislative focus is centered on developing a holistic solution for the energy sector that guarantees dispatchable capacity and security of supply. He calls for the reinstatement of investments in upgrading the electricity grid (referencing the canceled 100 million euro Elektrilevi investment) and prioritizing national interests by favoring a market economy approach over subsidies.
5 Speeches Analyzed