Session Profile: Riina Solman
Fifteenth Riigikogu, third session, plenary session
2024-05-27
Political Position
The political discourse revolves around population sustainability and the birth rate crisis, stressing the necessity of supporting large families and providing them with a sense of security. The speaker is vehemently opposed to the government’s austerity measures concerning family benefits and tax hikes, particularly the car tax, which undermines families’ ability to make ends meet. This political stance is deeply value-driven, focusing on the future of the nation and the state while criticizing the government's short-sightedness.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates considerable expertise in the field of population policy and social protection, utilizing specific data regarding birth statistics and the impact of family benefits. He/She references earlier political decisions, such as the COVID-crisis measures and the expedited processing of maintenance support (alimony assistance), and also touches upon demographic concepts (e.g., "the demographic toilet bowl"). Precise figures are presented (for example, a 46% growth in births in December 2023, and a natural increase deficit of 5,000).
3 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is sharply critical and urgent, emphasizing the gravity of the demographic situation and the detrimental nature of the government's actions. Both emotional accusations (such as breaking promises, arrogance, and injustice) and statistical data are employed to support the arguments. The tone is formal yet direct, addressing the minister with pointed, accusatory criticism.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is active in the Riigikogu plenary session, presenting an extended critical speech on the topic of the minister's report and requesting additional time. This suggests a desire to participate intensively in high-level parliamentary debates, especially regarding social and population policy.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary opposition is aimed at the government and Minister of Social Protection Signe Riisalo, who is accused of undermining the livelihood of families and disregarding population policy. The criticism operates on both a policy level (cuts, car tax) and a personal level (the Minister's perceived arrogance and unwillingness to tolerate criticism). The government's actions are being labeled as inadequate, short-sighted, and frankly, detrimental.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
No data available
3 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The regional focus is moderate, emphasizing the depopulation of rural areas and connecting this trend to government policy, especially the car tax. It is noted that government policy favors the emptying of rural regions, given that a car is an absolute necessity for families with children living there.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The speaker is vehemently opposed to tax increases that exacerbate the difficulties faced by families with children, who already bear significant unavoidable expenses. He/She advocates for state support for families to mitigate economic instability (such as the rising Euribor or increasing cost of living). He/She criticizes the planned elimination of the tax hump, arguing that this change would primarily benefit wealthier families, and prefers that resources be directed toward families with children instead.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The central social theme revolves around ensuring the birth rate and population sustainability, with a strong emphasis on the well-being and sense of security of large families. Concern is expressed regarding the diminishing proportion of the Estonian-speaking population, especially in Tallinn. There is criticism directed at spending hundreds of thousands of euros on diversity policies at a time when funding for children's extracurricular activities is being cut.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on reversing the government-imposed cuts to family benefits and opposing the planned tax hikes, including the car tax. Reference is made to previous success in establishing the foundations of population policy and increasing benefits, which had a positive effect on the birth rate. Current efforts are mainly aimed at opposing detrimental legislation.
3 Speeches Analyzed