Agenda Profile: Helle-Moonika Helme
First reading of the Bill (359 SE) for the Act supplementing the Act on the Organization of the Energy Sector and the Act on Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management System
2024-03-06
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
Political Position
The political stance is strongly opposed to prioritizing the development of renewable energy, arguing that it creates market distortions and damages the economy. Climate policy is viewed as a socialist direction that is destructive to the economy and diminishes competitiveness. This position is strongly value-based, emphasizing the priority of the free market and the economy.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates a strong understanding of energy market distortions, particularly the effect of the CO2 price—which they characterize as an artificial additive—on electricity costs. They cite economic experts, such as Kaarel Ots, the head of the Tallinn Stock Exchange, and employ technical terminology like "market distortion." Furthermore, the speaker possesses detailed knowledge regarding the environmental damage caused by the construction of wind farms, specifically highlighting deforestation and injury to bird populations.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is sharply critical and polemical, employing blunt expressions to characterize the opponent ("broken record"). It utilizes both economic arguments (such as a decline in competitiveness) and emotional, figurative descriptions (injured sea eagles, flocks of birds ground to pieces). The speaker frequently employs rhetorical questions to underscore the illogical nature of the policy.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The data is limited to two speeches on a single day concerning the first reading of the specific bill.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main criticism is aimed at the renewable energy policy of the minister and the government, which is being accused of creating market distortions and destroying the economy. The opposition is intense, employing negative connotations to characterize the policy, such as references to socialist countries. The criticism targets both the substance of the policy and its environmental hypocrisy.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Not enough data.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is wide-ranging, covering both the competitiveness of the Estonian economy (citing the head of the Tallinn Stock Exchange) and the negative impact of Europe's ambitious plans on industry and jobs.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic views strongly favor a market economy, opposing state interference that creates artificial costs (like the price of CO2) and distorts the market. It is emphasized that the fight against climate change drains funds "out of the real economy," jeopardizing competitiveness and driving industry out of the country.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Not enough data.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is heavily directed toward opposing the draft amendment (359 SE) to the Organization of the Energy Sector Act and the Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management System Act. The speaker positions themselves as an opponent of the bill because, in their assessment, it supports the preferential development of renewable energy, which is harmful to the economy.
2 Speeches Analyzed