Agenda Profile: Helle-Moonika Helme
Draft law (583 SE) for the first reading regarding accession to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and approval of amendment to Article 20, paragraph 1, of the Convention.
2025-03-20
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
Political Position
The political position is strongly opposed to international conventions (e.g., CEDAW OP, ILO), which are considered outdated or which promote trans and LGBT ideologies at the expense of women’s rights. The speaker emphasizes the need to address women’s real economic problems (taxes, subsidies) instead of offering hypocritical ideological concern. The stance is strongly value-based and runs counter to the direction taken by the government and globalists.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates awareness of the substance of international conventions (ILO, CEDAW) and their inherent contradictions, citing the issue of changing room usage as an example. They utilize specific statistical data regarding the total number of pensioners and female pensioners, noting that 200,000 of the 325,000 pensioners are women. Furthermore, the speaker criticizes quota-based inclusion and its impact on the professional worth of women.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is highly combative, critical, and ideologically charged, employing terms like "globalists," "liberals," and "extremist thugs" to label opponents. The speaker combines emotional appeals (the actual situation of women) with logical arguments (contradictions within the conventions), demanding an end to this hypocritical concern. Direct questions are also posed to the presenter, and opponents are accused of making a "stupid and ugly claim."
3 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker actively participates in the legislative debate, repeatedly posing questions and making lengthy interventions during the bill's first reading. They cite previous discussions (the ILO convention) as a consistent pattern of behavior, which demonstrates persistent opposition to certain international treaties.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponents are "globalists," "liberals," "radical leftists," and the social democrats, who are accused of pushing trans and LGBT ideologies and making economic decisions harmful to women. The criticism is intense and ideological, accusing the opponents of hypocrisy and violating women's rights. The speaker rejects the claims of the social democrats, calling them stupid and vile.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Data regarding cooperation is missing; the speaker focuses on criticizing opposing political forces (globalists, socialists) and refuting their claims. There is no reference to a willingness to compromise or cross-party cooperation.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
Emphasis is placed on the discrimination and hardships faced by women in rural areas, citing the negative impact of the car tax on rural residents compared to women living in cities. This highlights the focus on how nationwide tax policies affect regional population groups.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The economic stance is firmly opposed to tax increases (the car tax) and cuts to social benefits (family allowances, ending pension indexation). It views these measures as detrimental to the standard of living and believes they will hit women the hardest. The text criticizes the government's policy for most severely impacting the very segment of society that the government claims to champion.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
There is strong opposition to trans and LGBT ideologies, which are deemed to violate women's rights and safety, citing, for instance, the entry of biological males into women's changing rooms. It criticizes the dilution and spread of gender-based concepts (referencing 150 genders) and questions whether the convention guarantees equality even among women themselves. Quota-based inclusion is also criticized as demeaning to women.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus centers on opposing Draft Bill 583 SE (Accession to the Optional Protocol of CEDAW), arguing that it is fundamentally contradictory and fails to protect women's rights. The speaker is a fierce opponent of this initiative and is utilizing this platform to launch broader criticism against the government’s social and economic policies.
3 Speeches Analyzed