By Months: Margit Sutrop
Total Months: 16
Fully Profiled: 16
10.2025
4 Speeches
The proponent moderately supports increasing the operational grant for higher education and funding the doctoral reform, but expresses strong concern and opposition regarding the €6 million budget cut projected for 2027. This political stance is primarily aimed at education policy and securing the socio-economic well-being of students, and is strongly driven by policy and performance metrics. The position is critical of the long-term plans outlined in the State Budget Strategy (RES).
06.2025
10 Speeches
The political position is strongly value-based, emphasizing patient autonomy and dignity in end-of-life matters, as well as academic freedom in the organization of research. The main topics are the legislation concerning research and development (R&D), the training of judges, and support for the end-of-life declaration bill. They represent the Estonian Reform Party and emphasize a human-centered approach to legislative bills, protecting people's freedom and dignity.
05.2025
3 Speeches
The political position is heavily focused on the efficiency and optimization of the public sector, particularly through judicial reform and the reduction of bureaucracy. There is support for increasing the proportion of applied higher education, citing the coalition agreement and analyses conducted by academics. The speaker’s approach is strongly policy-driven and results-oriented, seeking practical solutions for cost savings and the better deployment of resources.
04.2025
7 Speeches
The political stance strongly favors the protection of patient autonomy and the right to self-determination, backing the draft bill concerning end-of-life declarations of intent on behalf of the Reform Party. Furthermore, he/she criticizes the lack of foresight in the implementation of tax legislation, stressing the importance of fairness and reducing the administrative burden, particularly concerning the option for monthly car tax payments. His/Her political framework is primarily value-based (autonomy) and procedural (quality of lawmaking).
03.2025
4 Speeches
The political position strongly advocates for the development of science, higher education, and artificial intelligence, emphasizing the priority of these sectors within the government's agenda. These stances are policy-driven, focusing on maximizing EU funding and reducing bureaucracy to support economic growth through deep technology. The objective is to ensure the implementation of the science pact and the agreed-upon increase in funding for higher education.
02.2025
9 Speeches
Politically, the speaker is focused on restoring historical friendships with Israel, while criticizing the government's mixed signals during the UN vote. Domestically, there is a strong emphasis on the Research and Development Organization (TAIKS) bill, which stresses the need to protect the autonomy of research institutions from political interference. The focus encompasses both value-based foreign policy and procedural and technical domestic policy.
01.2025
4 Speeches
The political position focuses on updating and simplifying the Law on the Estonian Academy of Sciences to increase the academy's capacity to respond to the challenges facing the state. Support is provided for giving substance to the principle of autonomy of academic institutions, which is enshrined in Article 38 of the Constitution. A strong policy- and efficiency-based approach is maintained, linking the development of science with the improvement of the country's economic situation.
12.2024
21 Speeches
The speaker, a representative of the Reform Party, expresses strong support for the adoption of the Basic Education Act, emphasizing its necessity for establishing a unified legal basis and supporting the transition to Estonian-language education. The political framing is value-based and policy-centric, stressing the welfare of children, equal opportunities, and the preservation of a strong foundation for the Estonian education system. The speaker remains optimistic regarding the law's adoption and subsequent implementation.
11.2024
13 Speeches
The speaker strongly advocates for the modernization of the management of research institutions by granting the Estonian Academy of Sciences greater autonomy, and emphasizes the necessity of national self-defense, supporting the revocation of voting rights for citizens of aggressor states. The primary substantive focus is on education reform, backing the extension of compulsory education until the age of 18 to reduce dropout rates and enhance workforce preparation, which is framed as a data-driven and strategic objective. Furthermore, they express a desire to be the driving force ("locomotive") behind science policy, rather than merely a formal endorser.
09.2024
2 Speeches
The political platform is heavily focused on developing national defense capabilities, emphasizing the role of the Estonian defense industry and the importance of innovation. The speaker vigorously supports aid to Ukraine, specifically linking it to the utilization of Estonian-made products. Furthermore, he/she supports the education reform, viewing micro-degrees as the way forward, and demands clarification regarding their prior validity.
06.2024
2 Speeches
The political position heavily focuses on the adequate funding and proper accounting of research, development, and innovation (RDI) expenditures, while criticizing the Ministry of Finance's methodology. Furthermore, deep concern is expressed regarding Georgia's democratic situation and the opportunities for Estonian diplomacy in that region. The speaker stresses the necessity of adhering to the agreed-upon funding levels, which is significant both politically and in terms of values.
05.2024
9 Speeches
The speaker is the spokesperson for the Reform Party faction, who strongly supports the education reforms agreed upon in the coalition agreement, particularly raising teachers' salaries to 120% and streamlining the school network. He/She emphasizes the long-term impact of political decisions, citing the abolition of the tax hump as the elimination of a historical injustice. His/Her positions are strongly policy- and value-driven, focusing on the quality of education and proper remuneration for teachers.
04.2024
7 Speeches
The political position focuses on details and the big picture, emphasizing the need to weigh conflicting objectives (e.g., preserving rural schools versus the quality of education and teachers’ salaries). We support valuing the Estonian language and creating an Estonian-language public space, but we oppose categorical and unnecessary legislative changes (such as the elimination of Russian-language websites), preferring instead a needs-based and substantive approach. Furthermore, the speaker favors the construction of a nuclear power plant, but stresses the importance of balancing the values of safety and sufficient energy supply.
03.2024
6 Speeches
The politician highlights issues concerning social services and critical infrastructure, focusing on education, healthcare, and energy security. Their stance reflects deep concern, particularly regarding the qualifications of mathematics teachers and the accessibility of medical care. The political framework is results-oriented, stressing systemic deficiencies that require immediate resolution.
02.2024
10 Speeches
The speaker strongly supports the quality and Estonian-language focus of Estonian higher education, while simultaneously emphasizing the critical importance of internationalization for the benefit of science and the economy, citing Estonia's high position in the citation rate of scientific publications. The political position is strongly policy- and data-driven, defending the necessity of university internationalization and criticizing the opposition's arbitrary diagnoses regarding the causes of declining educational quality. Furthermore, he supports streamlining the student loan system and addressing the issue of interest rates.
01.2024
7 Speeches
The political position is that of a supporter of the Reform Party, emphasizing the necessity of education and research reforms to ensure high quality. This position supports the government’s 1% research funding agreement but is critical of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications (MKM) plans to establish a new center that would duplicate the work of universities and compete for scarce resources. The political framework is strongly policy- and value-driven, stressing the need to accept reality and the inevitability of reforms.