Session Profile: Riina Solman
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
2025-03-17
Political Position
The political focus is heavily centered on the natality crisis and population policy, underscoring the necessity of ensuring the sustainability of the Estonian nation and language. The speaker is vehemently opposed to the government's austerity and tax hike policies, particularly the reduction of benefits for large families and the car tax, which, in their estimation, has eroded the sense of security among families. The political framework is value-driven, directly linking the declining birth rate to the future and security of the state.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates deep expertise in the field of population policy and demography, utilizing specific birth figures and percentage declines (e.g., 9,646 births in 2024, a 25% increase following the 2017 support measure). Academic sources are referenced, including the Tallinn University Centre for Demography, Mark Gortfelder, and Ene-Margit Tiit, as well as previous political measures and their impact. Emphasis is placed on the necessity of a focused approach, rather than pursuing population policy on a broad, generalized basis.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetoric is forceful and critical of the government’s actions, labeling the situation a birth crisis and accusing the government of "dawdling." Both emotional appeals (the hardships faced by families with children, teary-eyed fathers) and fact-based data (birth statistics, tax amounts) are utilized. The speaker attempts to establish a dialogue with the prime minister, praising the preparation of the responses, but at the same time sharply criticizing the Minister of Social Protection’s earlier "unseemly" rhetoric.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is an active initiator and submitter of interpellations, having dealt with the issue since January 16, 2025. The pace of their speech is intense, featuring repeated appeals, detailed questions, and requests for time extensions, demonstrating a desire to address the topic comprehensively. Reference is also made to their previous work on government commissions as the Minister of Public Administration.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponents are the government led by the Reform Party and the Minister of Social Protection, who are sharply criticized for cutting family benefits, pushing through the car tax, and ignoring demographic policy. The criticism is policy- and procedure-based, accusing the ministers of demagoguery (pitting large families against small families) and ridiculing families with many children. It is noted that the government has ignored the appeals of demographers and the association of families with many children.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker emphasized the need for cooperation with demographers and the association of large families, referencing the solutions they have proposed. Furthermore, they are open to adopting best practices from other countries (e.g., Hungarian family policy). Reference was also made to submitting an inquiry together with faction colleagues, demonstrating the existence of intra-factional cooperation.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is on the national demographic crisis and the sustainability of the Estonian nation-state. Particular emphasis is placed on the negative impact of various policies, especially the car tax, on rural areas, where a car is an essential means of transport for large families, and where living in the countryside is consequently made harder.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The speaker is strongly opposed to tax hikes (VAT, car tax) and cuts to family benefits, viewing these measures as undermining the economic security of families. They support a greater state financial investment in families with children, including indexing benefits and compensating for child-related expenses, to mitigate the rising cost of living. Criticism is leveled against the modification of the income tax exemption, which favors high-income earners at the expense of those with lower wages.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The central social issue is the promotion of the birth rate and the support of large families, which is considered a prerequisite for the survival of the nation-state. It is stressed that the state must send positive signals to those who wish to have children, rather than ridiculing those who are developing policy frameworks aimed at addressing the declining birth rate.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is directed toward the reinstatement and indexation of family benefits (including support for large families and the hobby group allowance). Furthermore, the implementation of motor vehicle tax exemptions for large families is strongly urged. A structural change is also a priority, namely the restoration of the position of an inter-ministerial coordinator or minister for demographic issues.
8 Speeches Analyzed