Session Profile: Riina Solman
The 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
2025-10-08
Political Position
The speaker is a strong opposition figure who focuses intensely on social affairs, demography, and family support. His political stance is value-based, emphasizing the necessity of upholding the constitutional preamble concerning the preservation of the nation. He sharply criticizes the government’s fiscal measures, such as the car tax and cuts to family benefits, and demands that surplus funds be channeled toward children and families. He strongly opposes those who deem the issue of birth rate irrelevant, labeling them irresponsible.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker possesses a high level of expertise in social policy, the healthcare sector, and demography, citing specific indicators (such as the cohort fertility rate of 1.83) and systemic issues (like the absence of a mental health strategy). The speaker leverages their prior experience as Minister of Population to lend significant weight to the subjects of birth rates and family support. Furthermore, they are highly familiar with the medical system and the operations of the Health Insurance Fund (Tervisekassa), specifically pointing out its budget deficit.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The speaker’s style is formal, yet intensely passionate and urgent, especially when addressing social injustices such as the reduction of benefits for pregnant women and the plight of family caregivers. They employ strong moral condemnations ("crime," "hypocritical," "bad taste/form") and juxtapose emotional appeals with concrete data and financial figures (e.g., the recruitment cost of the Health Insurance Fund director). They are prepared to acknowledge the minister's competence but remain critical of officials and the government.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is active in the Riigikogu plenary sessions, participating in multiple debates on a single day and referencing work in the Social Affairs Committee. They demonstrate a desire to address topics thoroughly, repeatedly requesting additional time to fully present their arguments. Their speeches primarily focus on the administrative area of the Ministry of Social Affairs, but also touch upon maritime affairs.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary confrontation is aimed at the policies of the governing coalition, sharply criticizing cuts to family benefits, the implementation of the car tax, and the seizure of 25,000 people's accounts. The criticism is both political (the budget deficit in the Health Insurance Fund, wasteful spending by the Ministry of Climate) and value-based (the suspicion of fraud leveled against pregnant women). He/She also criticizes the media outlet Ekspress for unfairly attacking the policy area that supports mothers with many children.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Although the speaker is in opposition, he acknowledges the Minister of Social Affairs for her competence in the healthcare sector and praises the Ministry of Social Affairs officials for upholding the constitution. He sees the need for a cross-party agreement regarding special welfare services and issues concerning family caregivers. He refers to cooperation with colleagues (e.g., Tanel Kiik, Aivar Kokk) in the Social Affairs Committee and at the rostrum.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The primary focus is on national social, healthcare, and demographic policies that affect all residents of Estonia. A regional connection is evident in a brief note on maritime issues, where they mention living by the sea, but this is not their main priority.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
He/She strongly supports social spending and direct financial support for families, demanding that the surplus funds (11 million euros) be directed toward the sector of children and families. He/She opposes punitive taxes (such as the car tax) and criticizes methods used to seize people's bank accounts. He/She supports measures that improve the economic participation of informal caregivers in the labor market by offering them state-guaranteed health insurance.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The primary social theme is the birth rate and the preservation of the nation, which is treated as a constitutional obligation and is linked to creating an environment conducive to raising children. They strongly advocate for pregnant women and informal caregivers, demanding better social guarantees for them and opposing the state's suspicious attitude regarding the risk of fraud. They also emphasize the lack of a mental health strategy specifically addressing the adult population.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on opposing the amendments to maternity benefits, as these changes negatively affect women's income and are inherently unequal. He/She supports the implementation of measures resulting from the long-term analysis of birth rates and child-rearing, but is concerned about the funding for this. Furthermore, he/she is interested in the legislation concerning accession to the Convention of the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) and the process of bringing ships under the Estonian flag.
9 Speeches Analyzed