Session Profile: Riina Solman

The political focus is heavily centered on demographics and the birth rate crisis, which is treated as a question of the state's sustainability ("in the Estonian language, with Estonian culture, and as a nation"). The speaker is in strong opposition to the policies of the governments led by Kaja Kallas, accusing them of neglecting population issues and reducing subsidies. Additionally, foreign policy decisions concerning the rules-based world order and the sense of security of the Jewish community are criticized. The political framework is value-based and concentrates on the effectiveness of the government's activities.

The speaker demonstrates deep expertise in demographic policy, referencing their previous role as Minister of Population Affairs and using concrete legislative examples (the 2017 large family allowance). They rely on statistical data, highlighting a 25% increase in the birth rate for third and subsequent children after the allowance was implemented. They also use specific terminology, such as the "decline spiral," and refer to the assessments made by demographers.

The style is sharply critical, insistent, and at times emotional, employing strong accusations directed at the government ("persecuted," "untrustworthy rhetoric," "deception"). The speaker repeatedly uses an agricultural metaphor ("a field or plant that is grown and watered bears fruit") to describe the effectiveness of demographic policy. He/She balances logical arguments (statistics) with emotional appeals, referencing the undermining of families' sense of security and fears circulating on social media.

The speaker actively participates in the plenary sessions, posing questions to both the Minister of Social Affairs and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. They refer to their previous work on the Social Affairs Committee and their membership in the Population Committee in 2022. Furthermore, they mention meeting with a Finnish minister and attending a memorial event at the old Jewish cemetery on October 7th.

The main opponent is the Reform Party and the governments led by Kaja Kallas, who are accused of hostility towards demographic policy, cutting benefits, and breaking promises. The criticism is intense, targeting both specific political choices (the reduction of child benefits) and procedural issues (the closure of the special committee on the demographic crisis and the lack of transparency of the government commission). The speaker considers the government's stance on natality issues to be rigid and unserious.

The speaker emphasized Isamaa’s role in increasing family benefits and drafting legislation, referencing his party’s successful cooperation in the past. He noted that the current minister has engaged in dialogue with the opposition, but criticized the minister for elevating the issue to the level of ideology rather than focusing on solving the actual problem. The willingness to cooperate is conditional and centered on achieving specific outcomes.

The focus is primarily national (Estonia's demographic crisis, the replenishment of the Estonian population) and international, referencing the birth rate situation in other European countries (Finland, Latvia). In the foreign policy context, attention is paid to the sense of security of Estonia's Jewish community and relations with allies (Lithuania).

Economic perspectives emphasize state investment in families and the valuation of parenthood as a long-term economic commitment. The speaker notes that large families (14% of all families) will bear the responsibility for paying pensions in the future to those who choose a career path, and are therefore opposed to cutting family benefits. Raising these benefits is viewed as an economic lever that encourages higher birth rates.

Social policy is focused on increasing the birth rate and supporting large families, emphasizing the value of parenthood and ensuring families feel secure. The speaker criticizes the Ministry of Social Affairs' previous intention to address issues of gender self-determination, viewing it as ignoring the demographic problem. In the context of foreign policy, he expresses concern about the vulnerability of Estonia's Jewish community.

The legislative focus is on increasing family benefits (specifically, the Isamaa party's proposal to raise the benefit for the first and second child to 100 euros) and protecting previously successful legislation, such as the 2017 large family benefit. The speaker criticizes the government's decision to close the Population Crisis Problem Committee and highlights the ineffective work of the Government Commission, which fails to discuss the issue of the birth rate with transparency.