Session Profile: Helle-Moonika Helme
15th Riigikogu, third session, plenary session
2024-05-28
Political Position
The political position is strongly oppositional, focusing on the current government (Reform Party, Eesti 200, Social Democrats) breaking its pre-election promises and pushing the most egregious tax hike plan in history. The most pressing issues are the deterioration of pensioners' livelihoods and the broad implementation of tax increases (including the car tax, excise duties, and income tax hikes). The stance is intensely resistant, emphasizing the immorality and dishonesty inherent in the government's actions.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates detailed awareness of the government's fiscal policy, providing a lengthy list of specific tax increases and excise duties (e.g., the sugar tax, plastic tax, fuel excise). Reference is also made to the growing state budget deficit (from 1.2 billion to 1.7 billion), and alternative funding sources are proposed (reversing the abolition of the tax hump, and cutting bureaucracy).
5 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is passionate, sharply accusatory, and highly emotional, repeatedly invoking the theme of the Estonian people being deceived and the government lying. Strong metaphors are employed ("in firm, strangling hands") along with a direct appeal to voters to withhold support from the coalition. The tone is overwhelmingly confrontational and features personal attacks (e.g., targeting Kaja Kallas and Jürgen Ligi).
5 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is actively participating in the Riigikogu plenary session, focusing specifically on a draft bill concerning the taxation of pensions. The absence of Prime Minister Kaja Kallas from the state budget discussions is noted, which points to the continuous monitoring of the government's activities. The pace of the speech is intense, featuring a request for additional time and repeated warnings.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The opposition is aimed squarely at the Reform Party, Eesti 200, and the Social Democrats, who stand accused of lying and damaging the cost of living for the Estonian people. The criticism is both political (tax hikes, budget deficit) and personal, specifically accusing Jürgen Ligi of personally harassing pensioners and Kaja Kallas of dishonesty. The opposition’s stance is uncompromising, urging voters not to support the ruling parties.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The cooperative style demonstrates internal cohesion within the opposition, as the speaker acknowledges their colleague Helir-Valdor Seeder for adding an additional point (state fees) from the floor. There is no evidence of a willingness to compromise or cooperate with the ruling coalition, which is referred to as "the party of liars."
5 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is clearly national, addressing the everyday livelihood of the Estonian people, the state budget, and the tax burden. The European Parliament elections are also mentioned in connection with the Reform Party candidates (Paet and Pevkur) being sent to Brussels. There is a lack of focus on specific regional or local issues.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The economic views expressed are strongly opposed to tax increases, emphasizing that the government is taking money directly from pensioners, working individuals, and families. Fiscal discipline is preferred, achieved by cutting costs (specifically bureaucracy) and abandoning the planned abolition of the tax bulge (or 'tax hump'), a move that would save half a billion euros. They reject the government's assertion that citizens must pay more because of the budget deficit.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The main social issue is the economic survival of pensioners and protecting them from tax hikes, especially in connection with the abolition of the income tax exemption for pensions. The speaker emphasizes that the government is "undermining the daily livelihood of our people" and accuses Kaja Kallas of blaming Estonians for living too well.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is currently centered on opposing the bill concerning the abolition of the income tax exemption for pensions, which is viewed as merely the beginning of freezing pensions. More broadly, there is opposition to all coalition bills related to tax increases, such as the car tax and the abolition of the land tax ceiling.
5 Speeches Analyzed