Agenda Profile: Helle-Moonika Helme
Draft law on the 2025 state budget (513 SE) - first reading
2024-10-16
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting
Political Position
The political stance is fiercely opposed to the government's budget priorities. This opposition centers on the Finance Minister's past accountability regarding historical money laundering and criticizes the current 10-year, billion-euro aid commitment to Ukraine. The primary argument is that foreign obligations undermine Estonia's social welfare and the financial stability of its citizens. The focus is heavily directed towards criticizing the government's performance and its underlying value-based choices.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates knowledge of financial history (the scale of money laundering in 2015 exceeded 200 billion euros) and specific budget figures, referencing precise aid amounts (0.25% of GDP, 100 million annually, totaling a billion). Also highlighted is the ability to criticize the procedural aspect of concluding international agreements, specifically referencing Kaja Kallas’s unilateral decision. The overall competence of the Finance Minister is also called into question.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is fiercely critical and accusatory, employing sarcasm and emotional appeals by contrasting the plight of Estonians in need (cultural figures, mothers without health insurance) with the government's priorities. Rhetorical questions and personal attacks are utilized, for instance, by referencing cultural workers "living off canned goods." The discourse is generally politically charged and confrontational.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
No data available
3 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponents are the Minister of Finance and former Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, who is criticized for both political decisions (aid to Ukraine) and issues of personal responsibility (money laundering, a unilateral agreement). The criticism is intense and covers both political and procedural aspects, such as Kaja Kallas's right to enter into financial obligations unilaterally.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
No data available.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is divided between national themes (Estonian mothers, cultural figures, teachers) and international issues (aid to Ukraine, Russian money laundering). There is a lack of emphasis on specific local regions or electoral districts.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The speaker is vehemently opposed to long-term and large foreign commitments (a billion euros to Ukraine), viewing this as a real outflow of money from Estonia. Preference is given to solving domestic social problems, and the government's fiscal competence is questioned. Furthermore, previous financial supervision related to money laundering is also criticized.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Regarding social issues, the focus is on the financial struggles of cultural figures and actors, as well as the situation of mothers without health insurance. These groups are used as examples to highlight the negative impact of the government's budget priorities on the residents of Estonia.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is currently on opposing the draft State Budget Act for 2025 (513 SE), particularly concerning the long-term commitment to aid Ukraine and the resulting impact on domestic expenditures. The speaker holds a position of strong opposition to the draft bill and criticizes the defense of it put forward by the Minister of Finance.
3 Speeches Analyzed