Session Profile: Riina Solman
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
2025-03-19
Political Position
The political position is supportive of the draft bill concerning the survivor’s benefit, but this is coupled with strong opposition to the government’s broader family and tax policies. The most critical issues are the welfare of children and families and halting the decline in the birth rate, which is framed as the defense of national values. The speaker supports this move as a step in the right direction but criticizes the government for taking three steps backward in family policy. The position is heavily value-based and focused on demographics.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in the field of social benefits and family policy, utilizing specific figures and technical terminology. They reference the base amount of the survivor's benefit (272 euros), indexation, and the projected payment in 2026 (345 euros). Furthermore, they draw upon personal experience as a single parent to establish credibility regarding the necessity of these benefits.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is contrasting and critical, blending official support for the draft legislation with sharp opposition to the government's previous actions. It employs both personal emotional appeal and logical argumentation concerning the impact of tax increases. The speaker utilizes irony and sarcasm ("Praise and thanks to the party") and the metaphor "three steps back and a small step forward" to assess the government's performance.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
Insufficient data
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The opposition is strong and aimed squarely at the government coalition’s policies, which are being blamed for worsening the well-being of children, especially those in large families. The criticism is policy-driven, focusing on tax hikes (VAT, car tax) and cuts to family benefits, changes which were allegedly made "based on an Excel spreadsheet." The coalition is also accused of deepening insecurity and reducing people’s desire to have children.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Speaking on behalf of the Isamaa faction, the speaker supports the draft legislation, calling it a step in the right direction and demonstrating a willingness to back sound initiatives regardless of their originators. Nevertheless, this very support is immediately leveraged as a platform for widespread criticism of the coalition, indicating a limited readiness for cooperation on broader political matters.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The regional focus is on rural areas, stressing that the coalition's policies will hit these residents the hardest. It is specifically noted that the allowance for large families to cover hobby group costs was primarily paid out in rural areas, and that the proposed car tax will disproportionately affect residents of rural areas.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The economic platform focuses on opposing tax hikes (VAT, car tax) and budget cuts, arguing that these measures severely impact families with children and deepen overall insecurity. It supports indexing and standardizing social benefits to mitigate the risk of poverty and guarantee long-term financial stability. Economic barriers are viewed as the primary reason why families are unable to have the number of children they desire.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The social focus is heavily centered on family policy and the demographic crisis, highlighting the falling birth rate and the necessity of supporting children's welfare. Particular emphasis is placed on providing economic support to large families to ensure the survival of the nation, language, and culture. The speaker notes that economic obstacles prevent families from having a third child.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on supporting the draft bill for the survivor's benefit, which establishes a new unified scheme for children who have lost a parent and ensures the indexation of the benefit. Significant emphasis is also placed on criticizing the family benefits cancelled by the coalition (such as joint income tax declarations for spouses, income tax relief for the second child, and support for extracurricular activities) and highlighting their negative impact.
2 Speeches Analyzed