Session Profile: Helle-Moonika Helme
15th Estonian Parliament, 6th sitting, press briefing
2025-09-24
Political Position
The political stance is one of strong opposition, focusing on the government's incompetence in managing state finances and its ideological interference in public life. Key issues include the fiscal crisis, borrowing against future generations, and opposition to the so-called 'consent law,' with the government's actions being deemed unfit to govern and reminiscent of North Korea. The political framework is both results-oriented (the economic crisis) and values-oriented (social polarization).
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates knowledge of national finance indicators, citing the nearly two-billion budget deficit, the half-a-billion euro shortfall caused by abolishing the tax hump, and the €35,000 search costs for the head of the Health Insurance Fund. This expertise is directed at criticizing government spending and tax policy, alongside an ideological analysis of social legislation.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is highly combative, accusatory, and emotional, utilizing strong hyperbole and negative imagery (e.g., North Korean news broadcasts, absurd ideological drivel, bog dystopias). The speaker presents logical arguments (budget figures) mixed with emotional appeals, calling into question the government's moral authority and legitimacy. The tone is extremely critical and urgent.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
Insufficient data.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary opposition target is the Prime Minister and the ruling coalition, who face criticism both for their political decisions (tax hikes, borrowing) and on the grounds of moral legitimacy. The criticism is intense, accusing the government of lying, hypocrisy, and disregarding the will of the people, citing their low approval rating (13.8%).
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Insufficient data.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is exclusively on national issues, addressing the Estonian economic crisis, the budget, and nationwide legislative drafts. There is no regional or local focus.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The economic views are strongly fiscally conservative, requiring strict control over spending and the balancing of state finances. The speaker opposes aggressive borrowing policies, raising the tax burden (especially consumption taxes like VAT, car tax, or property tax), and abolishing the tax hump, arguing that this harms low-wage earners and the middle class.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
On social issues, the speaker is strongly conservative, sharply opposing the consent law, which is viewed as undermining family cohesion, fostering gender dystopias, and serving as a hypocritical imitation of protecting women. Concern is also voiced regarding immigration, linking immigrants to lawlessness and violence.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is centered on opposing government initiatives, particularly the abolition of the tax bulge—which increases the budget deficit—and the draft bill for the ideological consent law. The speaker stresses that the Riigikogu should be addressing the budget and the livelihood of the Estonian people, not ideological "drivel."
2 Speeches Analyzed