Session Profile: Helle-Moonika Helme
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, information briefing
2024-01-10
Political Position
The political position is strongly anti-government and anti-Prime Minister, demanding the PM's resignation and criticizing the government's incompetence. The main points of emphasis are opposition to new taxes (car and property tax), support for the teachers' strike, and the condemnation of the government’s economic and security policies. The framing is heavily focused on criticizing the government’s actual performance and trustworthiness, with the situation even being compared to the Soviet era.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
Demonstrates knowledge of public opinion polls (two-thirds desire resignation, 40% distrust e-elections) and petitions (77,000 signatures against the car tax). Furthermore, detailed knowledge regarding the context and timing of the teachers' strike, as well as the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act (specifically, language usage), is provided.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is highly aggressive, accusatory, and emotional, employing strong comparisons (e.g., the Soviet era) and rhetorical questions ("Do you even have any sense in your head?"). The speaker stresses the government's dishonesty and incompetence, relying on public outrage and quoting satirical remarks about the prime minister.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The data indicates active participation in the Riigikogu information session in January 2024, during which several substantive questions were posed and a procedural remark was made.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary target is Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and her government, whose immediate resignation is being urgently demanded. The criticism is extensive, encompassing political issues (taxes, agriculture), ethical concerns (the East shipping scandal, lying), and security policy aspects. Furthermore, the government is accused of disregarding public opinion and the will of the people, as well as suppressing teachers.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
There is not enough data.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is clearly on national issues, covering economic policy, tax hikes, and the education crisis at a nationwide level. The government's foolish agricultural policy is mentioned, but without any specific regional emphasis.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic views are strongly opposed to tax increases, particularly the car tax and the proposed property tax. The government’s strategy of taxing people to fund higher wages is criticized as unsustainable and merely taking money out of people’s pockets.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The primary social issue is education and the teachers' strike. The speaker firmly supports the teachers, condemning the government's insulting and dismissive attitude. Furthermore, there is critical mention of the government's attempts to use marriage equality and the abolition of the tax 'hump' (or tax curve) as a distraction to ignore public dissatisfaction.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on opposing the government's tax plans (the car tax and the property tax). Furthermore, adherence to the Riigikogu's procedural rules is emphasized, especially the requirement regarding the use of the Estonian language, and the failure of committees to process petitions is being criticized.
5 Speeches Analyzed