The situation in the country.
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, press briefing
Date: 2025-09-10 15:44
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 30
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 14m
AI Summaries: 30/30 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The discussion of four questions regarding the state's situation focused primarily on security, the country’s defense capability, and government funding. Key themes included the impact of the war on society, the role of media and political rhetoric in generating fears, and the context of European Union and Estonian international cooperation. Criticism centered on the fact that the state’s preparedness and security expenditures are increasing, which has influenced investment decisions and the expectations and concerns of residents regarding both the economy and social structures. The issue of women's involvement and the discussion of mandatory military service was also raised, alongside perspectives on families and demographic stability, all of which relate to the country’s long-term defense capability and overall social balance.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were made.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker in this discussion was Helle-Moonika Helme (pid WgDOnz_gvIs) – EKRE, a right-wing politician.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman announced that they were moving forward, and the fourth question is directed to Prime Minister Kristen Michal. The questioner is Helle-Moonika Helme, and the topic is the state of the country.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme sharply criticizes the government's incompetent ministers and accuses them of consciously using the threat of war as a tool for domestic political mobilization to justify tax hikes and cuts and keep the government in power, thereby generating stress and fear among the population. The speaker asks whether the country's sense of security truly means living in constant fear, and when residents will start being prepared for life instead of just war, without being emotionally and materially drained.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
In her presentation, Helle-Moonika Helme accuses the government of ministerial incompetence and claims that political mobilization is being sought through fear generated by the focus on war and media coverage. She questions how long this tactic will continue and whether military readiness shouldn't be achieved without imposing an emotional and material burden on the people.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar addresses the Prime Minister with a request.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal sharply rejects the notion that war is merely an Estonian invention, emphasizing instead that the neighbor’s aggressive attack in Ukraine constitutes a real threat. For this reason, the decision to raise national defense spending to 5% of GDP starting next year is a vitally necessary and profoundly correct step that will ensure our readiness and defense capability. At the same time, she demands effort from the entire country—despite the unpopularity of tax increases—to preserve Estonia’s freedom.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal announced in the Riigikogu that, starting next year, Estonia will increase its national defense budget to 5% of GDP to ensure preparedness and defend the country against Russian aggression. He emphasized the nation’s unity and the reality of the situation, directly confronting claims that the war is fabricated.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chair thanks the speaker and invites Helle-Moonika Helme to ask a clarifying question.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme criticizes the implementation of mandatory military service for women, warning that it could accelerate the departure of young families from Estonia and damage demographic sustainability. She emphasizes that crisis-era family policy must be thoroughly discussed before any decision is made.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme expresses concern that Estonia has turned into a platform for war preparation, and she sharply criticizes the Ministry of Defense’s plan to introduce mandatory conscription for women. In her estimation, this plan threatens the sustainability of the population by preventing women from evacuating with their children during a crisis and forcing young families to leave Estonia. She also questions whether the state actually has a functioning family policy in place for crisis conditions.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar urged the audience to take action, saying that now is their time.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The address focuses on the question of how to ensure that every child has at least one parent or caregiver during wartime, and what support systems are in place when both parents are mobilized.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanks Mrs. Helme.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The author of the presentation asks whether policy serves security or increases instability, and how this affects Estonia’s birth rate and family models in the long term.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme is questioning the actual impact of the ongoing policy, asking whether it strengthens security or instead undermines social stability and Estonia’s demographic future, especially concerning the long-term effects on fertility rates and family models.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman offers his thanks and addresses the Prime Minister with a request.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal affirmed that Estonia is a free country, and we invite everyone to actively contribute their thoughts and participate, stressing that the voluntary involvement of women in the Defense Forces is common practice, and every citizen must help defend and preserve Estonia.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal emphasizes Estonia's strong freedom of speech and media, encouraging people to participate in debates, and notes that women's voluntary participation in the Defense Forces is common and growing. He acknowledges the problem of young men's poor physical fitness but highlights the support mechanisms provided by the Defense Forces to incentivize better preparation. Finally, he calls upon all citizens to defend and preserve Estonia, stressing that the country's security is everyone's responsibility, regardless of political disagreements.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal emphasizes Estonia's freedom and open debate, affirms the voluntary participation of women in the Defence Forces and the importance of physical fitness, and calls upon the entire nation to responsibly defend Estonia regardless of disagreements.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar gives thanks and announces that colleague Mart Helme will pose the supplementary question.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme accuses the prime minister of being ignorant regarding the functioning of the state and the defense sector, refers to the plan to make women conscripts, recalls that the funds allocated for border construction were withdrawn to prevent corruption, and calls for an end to war hysteria and for increasing defense capability quietly, determinedly, and effectively, rather than through the rhetoric of defeating Russia.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme is accusing the government and the prime minister of being completely out of touch with what is happening in the country and of lying to the public, citing the plan to make women eligible for compulsory military service. He also refuted allegations regarding the border construction budget, emphasizing that the cuts were implemented specifically to prevent corruption. Furthermore, the speaker sharply criticizes the current war hysteria, which he believes amounts to warmongering, demanding instead a quiet, determined, and effective increase in defense capabilities.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The speech emphasizes that this is your time.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme is calling for an end to the accusations against proponents of increased defense spending, as well as the labeling of them as saboteurs and the aggressive ranting.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The speech says not to do that, and not to accuse those who are calling for an increase in defense spending, as though they were working against [us].
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The message is that Mart Helme's time has come.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme emphasizes the necessity of finding consensus and recommends working quietly, rather than ranting.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The speaker offers thanks and submits a request to the Prime Minister.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal addressed questions concerning the history of the border construction project, pointing out that the decision was originally made in 2014 during Taavi Rõivas's government. He also criticized the opposition for having previously sought to cut the project, claiming it was excessively luxurious. Furthermore, he stressed that while there is an open discussion underway regarding women's participation in the Defence Forces—which does not constitute a decision in itself—the voluntary contribution of both men and women to national defense is Estonia's core strength.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Stress is laid upon the decision concerning the construction of the 2014 border, the importance of discussion and the free expression of diverse opinions, and the strength for Estonia provided by women's voluntary participation in the Defence Forces.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chair thanks the assembly and informs them that the consideration of today's fourth item is concluded.