Agenda Profile: Helle-Moonika Helme
First Reading of the Draft Resolution (410 OE) of the Riigikogu titled "Making a Proposal to the Government of the Republic to Find a Solution for the Construction of an Extension to the National Opera Estonia"
2024-05-07
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
Political Position
The most crucial issue is the swift construction of the extension for the Estonia National Opera at its existing location. This is strongly supported, as it is seen as essential for improving high culture and the working conditions of musicians. The political position is anti-government, accusing the administration of incompetence and the reckless allocation of state resources to foreign and ideological projects at the expense of major domestic cultural institutions. This stance is deeply value-based, emphasizing the state's obligation to culture.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates profound expertise regarding the history, site selection, and financing (Cultural Endowment vs. state budget) of the Estonia National Opera project. This expertise is substantiated by personal experience, having served as a member of the bill's support group and as a member of the National Opera Council for several years. Knowledge of the daily working conditions and needs of the musicians is also emphasized.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is passionate, urgent, and highly critical, especially towards the government and opposing forces. Strong emotional expressions are used, such as "endless squawking," "incompetence," and "holy war," balancing these with historical and factual context regarding the project's development. The style is formal, but includes personal testimonies and appeals for justice.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is an active proponent of the legislative initiative, serving as a member of the support group that spearheaded the specific bill. Their previous experience includes several years serving on the National Opera council, lending them authority on the subject matter.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
Strong opposition is directed at the government, which is accused of the bungling management of the state budget and leaving the financing of cultural objects severely neglected. Criticism is also aimed at "agencies and certain forces" who have started a "holy war" against the extension, using underhanded tactics such as misleading the public with images. Furthermore, the National Heritage Board is criticized for bureaucracy and deliberately stalling development.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Cooperation is emphasized with the support group that initiated the draft bill, a group of which the speaker is a member. Furthermore, a desire is expressed to trust a wider circle of specialists, and especially the client commissioning the work—the collective of the National Opera—who are the subject of this matter and the foremost experts.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is clearly on major national cultural projects in Tallinn (the Estonian National Opera, the National Library, and ERR). International activity is mentioned only in a negative context, criticizing the allocation of state funds to foreign infrastructure projects (schools, kindergartens, bridges) at the expense of domestic needs.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic perspectives focus on criticizing the allocation of the state's financial resources, accusing the government of reckless spending abroad and on ideological projects. They advocate for robust national funding for public goods and major cultural infrastructure projects, rather than depending on the gambling and excise revenues generated by the Cultural Endowment.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The primary social issue revolves around preserving and developing high culture (specifically opera) in the 21st century, emphasizing the necessity of providing musicians with dignified working conditions. Furthermore, there is an emphasis on the need to cultivate young audiences to secure the future of opera culture.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is currently directed at supporting Bill 410 OE, which aims to mandate the government to find a solution for constructing an extension to the Estonian National Opera. The speaker supports this initiative and hopes it will finally get the process moving.
2 Speeches Analyzed