Agenda Profile: Helle-Moonika Helme
Review of the Use and Preservation of State Assets in 2024–2025. Objectives and Reality in the Transport and Mobility Sector
2025-11-06
15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
Political Position
The political stance is strongly critical of the state's actions in implementing major projects (Rail Baltic, wind farms) that damage natural heritage and forests. The speaker highlights the state's "brutal" handling of public assets and demands the protection of natural resources. This is a value-driven position, prioritizing environmental protection over economic development.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise regarding the protection of natural assets, forestry, and the operational structure of the Environmental Board (Keskkonnaamet). Specific data is utilized, referencing the consequences of the Rail Baltic case, such as the additional designation of protected forest land 26 times greater in area. The expertise focuses on the processes concerning logging in protected forests and the environmental impact assessment (EIA) procedures for large-scale projects.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is critical and accusatory, employing emotional terms such as "brutally" to characterize the state's conduct. The speaker poses direct questions to the rapporteur ("How do you assess this situation?"), linking procedural errors (the work organization of the Environmental Board) with moral appeals concerning the destruction of nature. The tone is urgent and demands change.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
There is insufficient data on activity patterns (frequency, rhythm, and events).
1 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main parties being criticized are the state and the Environmental Board, who are accused of allowing logging in areas of high natural value. The criticism is procedural and ethics-based, focusing on the state's inability to protect common property and its prioritization of large-scale projects. The opposition is intense and accusatory.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
There is too little data regarding the cooperation style (willingness to compromise, coalitions).
1 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is national, addressing nationwide major projects (Rail Baltic) and the state's forestry policy, which affects both state-owned and private forests. Specific regional industries or communities are not highlighted, even though the topic's impact is local.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic arguments emphasize that government actions cause significant environmental and economic damage, which necessitates expensive compensation. The speaker criticizes a short-sighted approach where the execution of large-scale projects results in lasting environmental damage and higher future expenses (e.g., compensating for private forests).
1 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Social topics include addressing the environment as "the common property of us all," highlighting the necessity of protecting natural assets for the benefit of society. The focus is heavily placed on the theme of shared responsibility for preserving natural capital.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is currently directed toward overseeing existing environmental protection regulations and the management of state assets. The objective is to criticize the organizational structure of the Environmental Board and compel a shift in priorities to prevent the destruction of natural heritage for the sake of major development projects.
1 Speeches Analyzed