Agenda Profile: Helle-Moonika Helme
First Reading of the 2026 State Budget Bill (737 SE)
2025-10-07
The 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
Political Position
The political stance is strongly opposed to the government’s (Reform Party’s) 2026 state budget, focusing primarily on the disproportionate increase in defense spending—specifically through salary hikes—at the expense of the cultural sector (ERSO). The speaker questions the government’s economic growth narrative, arguing that it is an image sustained by borrowed money that does not reflect reality. The framework is heavily performance-based and critical, accusing the government of megalomania and cognitive dissonance.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in budget details, highlighting the Ministry of Defence salary increase (88 million euros) and its relation to ERSO’s funding needs, calculating that this amount would cover 23 ERSOS. Specific data is utilized to support the economic critique, for example, the 40.3% drop in new car sales, linking this decline directly to tax increases.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is sharply aggressive, sarcastic, and confrontational, employing phrases such as "self-praise stinks" and "megalomaniacal delusions." The speaker combines emotional appeals (the despair of the ERSO orchestra members) with logical arguments, presenting concrete figures and statistics.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The actions observed are limited to the debate on the first reading of the state budget bill of October 7, 2025, where the speaker posed successive critical questions and rebuttals, focusing on the inadequacy of the minister's responses.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponent is the government and the minister presenting the budget, who is criticized both for their policies (tax hikes, distribution of expenditures) and for their personal performance (lack of memory, deviating from the topic). The intensity of the criticism is high, accusing the government of killing the economy and maintaining its image using borrowed money.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Data is scarce.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is clearly on the national level, addressing the state budget, defense spending, and the national cultural institution (ERSO). Regional or local topics are not covered.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The economic views are strongly opposed to the government's policies, claiming that tax hikes are killing the economy and business, citing the drastic decline in car sales as an example. The speaker denies that economic growth exists, accusing the government of maintaining a facade using borrowed money.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The only social issue discussed is cultural funding, which highlights the desperation of the ERSO orchestra members trying to make ends meet daily. This topic is framed as a question of priorities, pitting the fundamental needs of culture against the salary hikes received by the Ministry of Defence.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on the opposition to the draft 2026 State Budget Act (Bill 737 SE). The speaker is acting as a strong opponent of the bill, primarily criticizing the allocation of expenditures and the negative impact of the tax policy on the economy.
4 Speeches Analyzed