Session Profile: Helle-Moonika Helme
Fifteenth Riigikogu, fourth session, plenary session
2024-09-11
Political Position
The political stance is strongly anti-government, criticizing decisions that stifle economic activity (such as halting oil shale mining) and the ideological, "woo-woo" climate policy. The focus is on a value-based population policy aimed at solving the demographic crisis and reducing state budget expenditures by limiting social benefits for temporary residents. The speaker strongly supports entrepreneurship and demands a responsible approach to lawmaking from the state.
19 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates knowledge in the field of corruption and ethics, highlighting specific examples involving ministerial advisors and their family connections (Kätlin Atonen, Evelin Oras). They are familiar with legislative procedures, criticizing the absence of impact assessments and initial drafting intentions for bills concerning the economy. Furthermore, they possess detailed knowledge of the sections of the Family Benefits Act and the regulations governing kindergarten placement fees.
19 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is predominantly combative, critical, and at times ironic, especially when addressing the government. Strong emotional language is employed, labeling the government's activities as "anti-business," "deviant," and "criminal" from the standpoint of how the state should function. Logical arguments (cost savings, long-term perspective) are interwoven with moral and ethical issues (the hiring of consultants, the abuse of social welfare benefits).
19 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is an active legislator, personally introducing two draft bills (on family benefits and kindergarten tuition fees) and actively participating in plenary debates. He frequently raises questions concerning both ethical standards and economic policy, demanding specific answers from ministers and rapporteurs.
19 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary targets are the government and the Reform Party, who face criticism regarding both policy (climate policy, halting of mining) and ethics (advisor cronyism, suspected violation of conflict of interest regulations). The criticism is intense and accusatory, asserting that the government's actions are motivated purely by political activism and based on sheer delusion. There is no apparent willingness to compromise with the government.
19 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
His cooperative approach is evident when dealing with party colleagues, whom he supports and whose arguments (such as the issue of undermining the labor market) he elaborates on. While presenting draft legislation, he addresses his colleagues respectfully, but he adopts a demanding and confrontational stance toward the government and the rapporteurs.
19 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is primarily on national legislation, but the regional policy dimension is crucial in the context of standardizing kindergarten tuition fees. He criticizes the significant disparities between local municipalities, highlighting the examples of Tartu (which has the highest fee) and Tallinn (referencing the Reform Party's election promises). Furthermore, he stresses the importance of regional policy in light of the effects of rural depopulation and the impact of other laws, such as the car tax.
19 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
His economic views are strongly pro-business, opposing government regulations that stifle genuine economic activity (oil shale mining). He demands that the state compensate entrepreneurs for expenses incurred and considers businesses to be the engine of the economy. He advocates strict fiscal discipline, emphasizing the necessity of reducing state budget expenditures in the social sector.
19 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The speaker focuses on solving the demographic crisis and boosting the birth rate by supporting large families (offering free kindergarten for families with three or more children). They advocate restricting social benefits exclusively to citizens, citing negative examples from the Nordic countries where generous subsidies have encouraged immigration and abuse of the system. They stress the need to protect the interests of the indigenous population.
19 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is currently on reducing state budget expenditures and strengthening family policy. He/She initiated a draft amendment to the Family Benefits Act that would eliminate parental benefits for individuals holding temporary residence permits. A second priority is amending the Preschool Institutions Act to lower the maximum limit for kindergarten tuition fees and exempt large families from payment obligations entirely.
19 Speeches Analyzed