Session Profile: Riina Solman
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary sitting
2024-04-08
Political Position
The political platform is fiercely opposed to the government’s social policy, prioritizing the defense of subsidies for large families and the mitigation of the demographic crisis. This position is strongly value-driven, underscoring the constitutional duty to protect multi-child families and criticizing the minister’s actions as inflicting irreparable harm upon Estonia. The speaker demands that the benefits be reinstated and that a sense of security be established for families with children.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates thorough knowledge of family support statistics and distribution, highlighting that children from large families constitute nearly 30% of all children receiving support. He/She is aware of specific political details, such as the cut to the hobby group funding for the association of large families (105,000 euros) and the lack of exceptions for the car tax. He/She also refers to assessments commissioned by officials regarding economies of scale, showing a deep understanding of the ministry's argumentation.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is highly combative, accusatory, and emotional, accusing the minister of inciting hatred and disparaging large families. Strong emotional appeals are utilized, citing letters from parents who feel shamed and humiliated. The speaker also uses literary comparisons, likening the situation to that described in George Orwell's novel '1984,' and demands a public apology from the minister.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is actively involved in parliamentary oversight, having submitted a formal query (interpellation) to the Minister of Social Protection on behalf of the Isamaa faction. He/She references participation in the Social Affairs Committee meetings and direct communication with parents of large families who have expressed their concerns to him/her in writing. This pattern of activity involves responding to the Minister's media appearances and the resulting political consequences.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponent is Minister of Social Protection Signe Riisalo, who is criticized both for her political decisions (cutting benefits) and her ethical choices (inciting hostility, displaying undisguised contempt). The criticism is intense and accusatory, stressing that the minister has pitted different family types against each other and done so maliciously. The confrontation also extends to the government's actions, which have created chaos within families.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker stresses the necessity of collaborating with the Association of Large Families, pointing out that the minister only initiated this partnership following public criticism. The speaker further criticizes the minister for having met with an NGO that actively opposes subsidies for large families, contrasting this sharply with the lack of engagement with the Association of Large Families itself. The cooperation is specifically focused on involving representatives of vulnerable target groups.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The regional focus is on rural areas, emphasizing that the withdrawal of funding for children's extracurricular activities particularly impacts these regions. He/She points out that rural areas already face difficult access to these activities, and transportation links are sometimes non-existent, making the decision to cut the funding especially unfair.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic perspectives emphasize that family benefits are not an expense but an investment in the next generation, and cutting these benefits does not create fairness or means-testing. The speaker counters the argument of economies of scale, which the ministry used to justify reducing the benefits. He supports creating exceptions in tax policy, such as for the car tax, to alleviate the disproportionately large burden placed on large families.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The social focus is entirely directed toward the birth rate crisis and the protection of large families, who are considered, under the constitution, a group requiring the state's special care. The speaker demands the restoration of a family-friendly environment and an end to the vilification of large families, stressing that having many children should be a source of pride. He sharply criticizes the actions of the Minister of Social Affairs for pitting different family types against one another.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is aimed at reversing recent benefit cuts and restoring a sense of security for families with children. The individual/entity is demanding that exceptions be created for large families in new legislation, citing the car tax as an example, where exemptions were granted to people with disabilities but not to large families. The priority is to ensure that legislation actively supports the country's future demographic growth.
5 Speeches Analyzed