Agenda Profile: Helle-Moonika Helme
Draft law amending the State Audit Act, the Political Parties Act, and other laws (control body for political party funding) – first reading.
2025-06-04
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
Political Position
The political position is sharply critical of the current mechanisms for controlling party financing, specifically pointing out dubious funding schemes (e.g., SALK 90,000 euros). Furthermore, the speaker casts doubt on the rationale used by the supervisory bodies (ERJK) and the potential for retroactive political interference, citing the funding of the COVID vaccine campaign as a key example. This criticism is aimed directly at the actions of the governing coalition and is primarily results- and values-driven.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates specific awareness of the details of political party financing, naming concrete cases (the Liberal Citizen Foundation, or SALK) and amounts (90,000 euros). He/She is also familiar with state campaigns (COVID-19 vaccination) and the associated movement of state funds to private medical companies.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is confrontational and accusatory, making heavy use of rhetorical questions and demanding explanations ("Perhaps you could also explain this scheme?"). The speaker relies on concrete examples of incidents and alludes to corrupt behavior and cronyism ("friends, the liberals and socialists, decided this way").
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The records indicate activity during the first reading of the bill at the Riigikogu session, specifically by posing two consecutive questions to the rapporteur.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main targets are coalition politicians, especially the "liberals and socialists," who are accused of favoring friends and enabling suspicious funding schemes. The criticism is intense and focuses on the misuse of state funds and calling into question the operational logic of the control bodies (ERJK).
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Based on the data, there is no information regarding cooperation or willingness to compromise; the speaker adopts a purely oppositional and interrogative stance.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is entirely on national issues, covering the financing of political parties, the activities of oversight bodies, and nationwide campaigns.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic views center on controlling how state money is spent, criticizing the transfer of large sums of public funds to vaccine companies and private healthcare businesses. Furthermore, concern is raised about channeling national resources toward politically favored NGOs.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Social issues addressed include the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, but it is approached from the perspective of financial and political conflict, rather than as a socio-political or public health matter.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is currently centered on the draft bill (599 SE) proposing amendments to the National Audit Office Act and the Political Parties Act. This bill specifically addresses the reorganization of the supervisory body responsible for political party financing. The speaker is critical of the proposal and raises skeptical questions regarding the logic behind its implementation.
2 Speeches Analyzed