Agenda Profile: Helle-Moonika Helme
Inquiry Regarding the Security of the Southeastern Border Region of Estonia (No. 729)
2025-05-19
15th Riigikogu, Fifth Session, Plenary Session.
Political Position
The main topics addressed are national security and the decline in the vitality of the Southeast Estonian region. The speaker takes a stand against the government's economic policy and the 'number magic' surrounding defense expenditure (5% of GDP), asserting that the government's bungling actions diminish genuine security and the national will to defend. The criticism is strongly aimed at the inefficiency of government activities and the neglect of citizens' needs. The political position is fiercely oppositional and values-based, highlighting human rights and the absence of true statesmanship.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates a local understanding of the situation in Southern Estonia, including the public mood and the contraction of services, citing the closure of the Põlva maternity ward and the Nursipalu conflict as key examples. Economic concepts like GDP and inflation are used to challenge the government's security calculations. The text stresses the direct impact of social factors (unemployment, lack of services) on defense readiness and overall security.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The tone is highly emotional, accusatory, and anxious, expressing sadness regarding the situation in Southern Estonia and anger directed at the government's actions. The style is quite narrative and emotionally charged, employing metaphors such as "the falling of dominoes" and folk wisdom ("what goes around comes around"). Strong accusations are leveled, describing the government's activities as "bungling" and "Putin's delight."
4 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is actively participating in the interpellation regarding the security of Southeast Estonia, posing several questions to the Prime Minister and requesting additional time to present their views. No other patterns of activity are evident from the speeches.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main adversary is the government, especially the Prime Minister and the Reform Party, who are accused of riding roughshod over people, violating constitutional rights, and the state’s incompetent governance. The attacks are intense and directly accuse the government of diminishing the will for defense. The speaker also criticizes the labeling of opponents as "Putinists" and "Kremlin stooges" due to their opposition to Nursipalu.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Not enough data
4 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is strongly regional, concentrating on Southern Estonia, especially Võru County and the border areas. Emphasis is placed on the region's economic and social contraction, as well as the concerns of local residents regarding the establishment of the Nursipalu training area and wind farms. The area is described as one of Estonia's most beautiful, yet people are forced to leave.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The speaker is vehemently opposed to tax hikes and new taxes, arguing that they stifle the economy, cause inflation and unemployment, and drive people away. The preferred approach is a fiscal policy that supports economic growth and business development, which would guarantee a larger absolute security budget. The government is accused of robbing people blind with taxes.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The focus is on the availability of social services in Southern Estonia, criticizing the closure of schools and medical care (including the Põlva maternity ward) as signs of state neglect. Emphasis is placed on the value of people's sovereignty, constitutional rights, and the heritage of home and family, noting that these are directly connected to the will to defend and overall security.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus centers on opposing land use projects (such as the Nursipalu training area and wind farms) being pushed through by the government, as these infringe upon people's rights and force them to abandon their homes. The speaker is a staunch opponent of the current government's policies and legislative initiatives, focusing specifically on their negative impact on local communities.
4 Speeches Analyzed