Session Profile: Riina Solman
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, information briefing
2024-06-12
Political Position
The political focus is on ensuring national defense capability, criticizing the government's budget cuts and the disregard shown for the advice of the Commander of the Defense Forces. They also stress the necessity of supporting the Women's Voluntary Defense Organization (Naiskodukaitse) and reducing bureaucracy in civil defense. In Ida-Viru County, the priority is maintaining Estonian-language education to halt Russification. The stance is strongly oppositional, accusing the government of adopting an "Excel spreadsheet approach" that ignores the real security situation.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in national defense, pointing out specific unacquired capabilities (a tank battalion, communication systems, radars, and logistics). Data from Statistics Estonia is utilized concerning the proportion of ethnic Estonians and Estonian speakers in Ida-Viru County, thereby emphasizing the demographic analysis. Furthermore, there is detailed knowledge regarding the bureaucratic issues of the Naiskodukaitse (Women's Voluntary Defence Organization) funding model, which is administered through the domain of the Rescue Board.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is sharp, critical, and urgent, particularly when aimed at the government, accusing them of lying and ignoring expert advice. Both logical arguments (budget figures, GDP decline, census data) and emotional language are used, notably referring to the Toila school as a "bastion" of Estonian identity. The overall tone is demanding, stressing the necessity of immediate action and heeding expert opinions.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The pattern of activity is confined to appearing during the Riigikogu session's information hour, where pointed questions are posed to ministers. The speaker refers to previous parliamentary debates and active media monitoring, citing Postimees and information published in the media regarding the government's plans.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponent is the government and the Reform Party, who are being sharply criticized for cuts to the national defense budget and for economic policy decisions (the decline in GDP). The criticism is political and ethics-based, accusing the prime minister of lying and ignoring the military advice provided by the Commander of the Defence Forces. The government is being required to provide a one hundred percent guarantee that the national defense capability will not worsen.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The style of cooperation focuses on supporting the positions of field experts (the Commander of the Defence Forces) and Isamaa, emphasizing the need to heed their advice. There is no reference to a willingness to compromise with the government; instead, it demands the reversal of the government's political decisions and the fulfillment of promises made at the NATO summit.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
There is a strong regional focus on Ida-Virumaa, which is treated as a strategically important border region where there is a risk of growing Russian influence. The necessity of preserving Estonian-language education is emphasized, using the example of the Toila school, which borders the Jõhvi municipality and is close to the eastern border.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic views are critical of the government’s economic and tax policy decisions that have led to a decline in GDP, consequently reducing national defense funding. We support financing national defense based on actual needs and expert advice, rather than relying on an Excel spreadsheet or a rigid 3% of GDP approach.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Among the social issues highlighted is the preservation of Estonian-language education in Ida-Virumaa as a means of combating Russification and Russian influence. Also in focus are civil defense and crisis training, requiring additional support for the work of Naiskodukaitse (the Women's Home Defense League) and a reduction in bureaucracy.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The focus is directed at changing the government's political decisions and budget priorities in national defense, demanding the immediate procurement of all necessary capabilities. Furthermore, there is a demand to simplify the funding model and reduce bureaucracy for Naiskodukaitse (the Women's Voluntary Defence Organization) in order to accelerate civil defense training.
3 Speeches Analyzed