Session Profile: Helle-Moonika Helme
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session.
2024-01-08
Political Position
The political position is strongly oppositional, standing against the recent marriage equality law and the government’s resource allocation. The speaker emphasizes that education and rural areas have been neglected in favor of wasteful state spending (such as climate bureaucracy and foreign development projects). Their political framework is value-driven, focusing on preserving traditional family models, as well as Estonian culture and statehood.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates a detailed understanding of the issue surrounding the closure of rural schools, highlighting specific institutions (Metsküla, Lõpe) and the ensuing legal disputes, as well as local government spending (for instance, 275,000 euros for the Lihula manor distillery). They are also familiar with the impact of the national special planning law and the content and funding of the public broadcaster's channel ETV+. They use the theme "education versus money" as a recurring argument.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The speaker’s style is combative and forceful, utilizing strong emotional appeals regarding injustice, especially on the topic of closing rural schools and the squandering of resources. They employ sharp metaphors and harsh judgments, labeling the activities of the Ministry of Climate as "humbajumba" (mumbo-jumbo) and referring to its personnel as "voodoo specialists." The speaker sharply contrasts education with large-scale national projects, emphasizing the crucial importance of preserving Estonian identity and security.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is active during the session, posing multiple questions and referencing an interpellation submitted earlier, in May, to the Minister of Education and Research regarding the closure of rural schools. Their pattern of activity involves the repeated raising of specific topics and the substantive analysis of the ministers' responses.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponents are the government and the ministries, who are criticized for wasteful spending and anti-education policies, along with the Lääneranna municipality. The criticism is intense and touches upon both specific political decisions (energy, education) and fundamental value issues (same-sex marriage, media content). The critics question the government's priorities, accusing them of squandering money and actively encouraging the decline of peripheral regions.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Not enough data.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The strong regional focus is aimed at Western Estonia (specifically Lääneranna municipality schools and Saaremaa offshore wind farms) and Ida-Virumaa, highlighting the importance of these areas. The topic of rural schools is framed as a threat of marginalization and the dying out of settlements, which directly impacts local communities. He/She criticizes the disregard for local residents' opinions within the context of the national special planning act.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The speaker sharply criticizes the government's wastefulness and tax hikes, which severely impact local municipalities and strip resources from education. He demands that resources be redirected to priority areas such as education, contrasting this need with spending on mega-projects (Rail Baltic) and bureaucratic expenditures (the Ministry of Climate, PRIA bonuses).
8 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The main social issue is the strong opposition to the marriage equality law, which is considered to have been adopted without popular support and which, it is claimed, leads to the bullying of children from traditional families. Education policy is viewed as the cornerstone for the preservation of Estonian identity, Estonian culture, and Estonian statehood, emphasizing the importance of rural schools in supporting communities.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The primary legislative focus is opposition to the Marriage Equality Act and the National Special Planning Act, which disregards the views of local residents. Another important priority is raising the issue of closing rural schools at the government level, concerning which an official inquiry has been submitted to the Minister of Education and Research.
8 Speeches Analyzed