The Bronze Soldier
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, information briefing
Date: 2024-01-17 14:15
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 15
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 14m
AI Summaries: 15/15 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
Today’s Riigikogu information hour focused on the sharp confrontation over the fate of the Bronze Soldier monument, a topic raised by Riigikogu member Martin Helme (EKRE) to Prime Minister Kaja Kallas. Helme demanded concrete steps from the government to remove the monument from the Defense Forces Cemetery, claiming that since the start of the war in Ukraine, it has become a vivid symbol of Russian chauvinism and imperialism. He criticized the government for the quick removal of the Narva tank while the Bronze Soldier remains untouched, and he accused the Reform Party and other coalition partners of voting against EKRE's proposal to relocate the monument.
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas (Reform Party) responded that the government has no plan to move the Bronze Soldier from its current location. She stressed that the 2007 relocation from Tõnismägi to the military cemetery had already brought a certain degree of peace to society. Kallas warned that any further movement of the monument would lead to new unrest and tensions, which would only serve the interests of Russia, which seeks to destabilize Estonia. The debate became particularly heated when Kallas accused Martin Helme of watching banned Russian media and reproducing its propaganda in the Riigikogu hall. The discussion concluded with a procedural remark from Isamaa representative Tõnis Lukas, who refuted Helme's claim that the Isamaa faction had voted against the removal of the Bronze Soldier.
Decisions Made 1
No new official decisions were taken during this information session. Prime Minister Kaja Kallas confirmed that the government currently has no plan to relocate the Bronze Soldier from the Defence Forces Cemetery, thus maintaining the current political position.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Martin Helme, who initiated the question and also presented a clarifying question. Helme represented a far-right/nationalist position (EKRE), demanding the immediate removal of the monument from public space, viewing it as a symbol of Russian imperialism whose preservation is unacceptable, especially in the context of the war in Ukraine.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Martin Helme, a member of the Riigikogu, is submitting a second question to Prime Minister Kaja Kallas regarding the Bronze Soldier.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme demanded the removal of the Bronze Soldier from the public space, criticizing the government for its failure to do so and asking whether they have a plan to take action or if the monument will remain there.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
The government has taken several steps to remove Soviet-era monuments from public spaces, including the rapid relocation of the tank and a law submitted to the Riigikogu (Parliament), which the president challenged. Furthermore, the Constitutional Committee has decided not to support readopting the law in its unamended form. They currently do not plan to relocate the Bronze Soldier—it is situated in a military cemetery, where the Russian minority visits once a year for commemoration.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanks [the previous speaker] and invites Martin Helme to ask a clarifying question.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme criticizes the government, claiming that they draw a distinction between the Narva tank and the Bronze Soldier, and use the argument of the sanctity of the grave as the reason why removing the Bronze Soldier would be unacceptable, even though the war in Ukraine has changed the context and many monuments have been relocated previously.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas stressed that remembering the events of 2007 demonstrates how symbols can generate tension and unrest. She added that, in light of the war in Ukraine, it is crucial to avoid new divisions, maintain unity between the Estonian Russian community and Estonia, and acknowledge that their home is here in Estonia, because the enemy is situated beyond Narva.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked the previous speaker, announced a supplementary question, and called upon Mart Helme to respond.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme says that the Russian side celebrates May 9th as Victory Day, not the end of the Second World War, and that in Estonia, the Bronze Soldier monument is a landmark for Russians. He argues that preserving it strengthens Russian propaganda, and that their psychological and ideological differences must be understood.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The speech is short and direct, proclaiming that Mart Helme’s time has come.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The talk discusses the extent of Russia’s historical presence in our small Estonian home.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
In the speech, thanks and a request are expressed to Madam Prime Minister.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas emphasized that Russian propaganda channels are banned in Estonia and that the proliferation of their content creates tensions, noting that Russia employs hybrid warfare and the destabilization of society. However, she added that the relocation of the Bronze Soldier to the cemetery calmed communities and reduced conflicts, and the government is focusing on addressing concerns and does not intend to inflame the situation.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman concludes the handling of today's second item and, before moving on to the third, inquires about the procedure for conducting the session, requesting assistance from Tõnis Lukas.
Tõnis Lukas
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Tõnis Lukas demanded a refutation of Martin Helme's false claim that the Isamaa faction had not supported the removal of the Bronze Soldier; all Isamaa members in the chamber supported the removal, while Helme himself did not participate in the vote on the EKRE draft resolution.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar said that he could not consider it a question regarding the procedure of the sitting—it was an objection, not a procedural question.