Session Profile: Margit Sutrop
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
2024-06-10
Political Position
The political focus is on the insufficient funding of the state's research, development, and innovation (RDI) expenditures and the reduction of budget volumes. The speaker challenges the percentage figure for RDI costs presented by the Ministry of Finance, citing its inaccuracy and deviation from international standards. The position is strongly critical of the government's budget execution and statistical transparency.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates profound expertise in the field of research and development funding and statistical accounting. They utilize specific terminology like R&D (TAI) and the Frascati Manual, and present concrete data (0.77% vs 1%) and sums (19.4 million) to challenge the ministry’s accounting methods. This expertise is based on knowledge of the Statistical Office and international standards.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The language used is formal and respectful, addressing the presiding officer and the Minister of Finance directly. The rhetoric is highly analytical and data-driven, focusing on the logical juxtaposition of the ministry's claims versus the data provided by the Statistical Office. Emotional appeals are avoided; the emphasis is placed solely on factual accuracy.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
There isn't enough data.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main criticism is directed against the Ministry of Finance and the Minister of Finance regarding state budget cuts and the inaccurate accounting of R&D expenditures. The opposition is policy-based, focusing on the ministry's methodology, which differs from the internationally recognized accounting used by Statistics Estonia. The intensity of the criticism is moderate, presented in the form of a question.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
There is too little data.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is on national budgetary issues concerning the allocation for research, development, and innovation. Adherence to international standards (the Frascati Manual) will also be addressed.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The speaker is criticizing the reduction in the size of the state budget, which results in a 19.4 million euro cut to the allocation for research, development, and innovation. They advocate for robust national investment in science and innovation, stressing the necessity of adhering to agreed-upon funding targets and avoiding the artificial inflation of costs.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The focus is on the funding of science and innovation, which falls under the scope of education and research policy. Other social issues will not be addressed in the talk.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The priority is the oversight of the implementation of the state budget and the monitoring of research funding agreements. The speaker acts as a critical scrutinizer of the government's activities, demanding accountability regarding budget cuts and statistical methodology.
1 Speeches Analyzed