Session Profile: Helle-Moonika Helme
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
2024-04-16
Political Position
The political position is strong, characterized by procedural opposition, which is demonstrated by the EKRE faction repeatedly calling for 10-minute recesses before votes. Substantively, they oppose the government’s immigration and integration policies, viewing them as a threat to Estonian culture and internal security. They also sharply criticize the funding priorities in the cultural sector, especially the support for Russian-language media and the preference for foreign aid over domestic needs. The position is strongly value-based and highly critical of the government's activities.
10 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker provides detailed information regarding cultural policy and statistics, citing specific participation rates in cultural life (79% in 2017, 73% in 2020) and attributing the drop to inflation and reduced funding. Specialized interest focuses on the financing of Russian-language media (with specific figures provided) and internal security matters, particularly concerning the citizenship of the head of ETV+ and the threat assessments outlined in the KAPO yearbooks.
10 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The tone is predominantly combative, critical, and skeptical, describing the minister’s report as "pretty talk" or "an evasion of reality." It leverages strong emotional appeals, particularly concerning the appreciation of Estonian language and culture and threats to internal security. The rhetoric relies on stark contrasts (Estonian families vs. Ukrainian families; beautiful words vs. lack of funding) and includes sharp accusations regarding the government's priorities.
10 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The member is highly active in procedural opposition, repeatedly calling for 10-minute recesses on a single session day before votes, which they justify by claiming it "has become standard practice." They actively participate in Question Time and utilize their full allocated time (including extensions) during plenary debates to deliver wide-ranging criticism of government policy.
10 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponent is the government and the Minister of Culture, whose policies are accused of being detached from reality and undermining domestic security. The criticism is intense and substantive, specifically accusing the government of funding "Kremlin talking points" via Russian-language media and increasing the risk of ethnic conflicts through its immigration policy. The Minister is also criticized for avoiding answers to sensitive questions.
10 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker acts on behalf of the faction when calling for procedural timeouts and refers to a similar question raised by a colleague (Kert Kingo). There is no information regarding cooperation with other factions or readiness to make compromises.
10 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is on national topics (Estonian culture, integration, internal security) and international issues (immigration from Asia, the Middle East, Africa; supporting Ukraine in building family homes in Zhytomyr). In terms of regional policy, the government's retrenchment is criticized, as it leads to reduced funding for community centers, libraries, and traveling theaters.
10 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The focus is on budget priorities and favoring domestic financing, while criticizing the channeling of state funds into foreign aid (Ukraine homes) at a time when benefits are being taken away from Estonian families. It is noted that inflation is reducing the real value of the money directed towards the cultural sector. Furthermore, the inclusion of green transition measures in the development plan is criticized, given the lack of actual funding for their implementation.
10 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
There is a strong focus on immigration and integration. The speaker opposes the government's immigration policy, viewing it as a threat to Estonian culture and internal security. They emphasize the need to value the Estonian language and culture and demand loyalty checks for leaders of Russian-language media who are citizens of the Russian Federation. The speaker also criticizes state institutions for communicating with new immigrants in Russian.
10 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The focus is on the criticism directed at the Ministry of Culture's long-term development strategy (Culture 2035) and the associated funding decisions. The speaker operates as an adversary and critic of the government's plans and policies, highlighting the contradiction between the established goals and the actual implemented policy.
10 Speeches Analyzed