Session Profile: Helle-Moonika Helme
15th Estonian Parliament, 4th sitting, information briefing
2024-11-06
Political Position
The political stance is strongly value-based, demanding that voting rights in local elections be granted only to Estonian citizens—a position referred to as the "pure solution." The speaker opposes the government's proposal, which would retain voting rights for holders of the gray passport, labeling this as maintaining an electoral base composed of disloyal individuals. Furthermore, the education reform is criticized for failing to consider the socio-economic dimension of rural and island environments.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates knowledge of the historical development of suffrage (referencing the pressure exerted by OSCE Commissioner Max van der Stoel in the 1990s) and constitutional matters. Separate emphasis is placed on regional policy expertise, citing the specialties offered by the Hiiumaa Vocational School (horticulture, transport, construction) and the necessity of analyzing the socio-economic dimension. Specific data is utilized regarding the number of gray passport holders (approximately 70,000) and the issue of dual citizenship.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is predominantly combative, accusatory, and insistent, utilizing strong emotional appeals and direct accusations against the opposing side ("Why are you lying to the people of Estonia?"). Sharp rhetorical questions and imperatives are employed to emphasize the integrity of one's own position and the danger inherent in the opposing side's solution. A regional reference (the Võro language) is used at the beginning of the speech to create goodwill.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker refers to participation in the vocational education reform conference held at Suuremõisa Manor on Hiiumaa on October 31st. Also emphasized is the repeated submission of draft legislation to the Riigikogu concerning the restriction of voting rights.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The confrontation is aimed at the government, the Reform Party, and the Minister of Education and Research. The criticism is intense and political, accusing the government of maintaining a base of disloyal voters and attempting to lie to the Estonian people. A compromise on the issue of voting rights is ruled out, as the government's proposed solution is considered "strange, weak, and actually very dangerous for Estonia."
3 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The style of cooperation is virtually non-existent; although there is agreement on revoking the voting rights of citizens of aggressor states, this is immediately used to criticize the opposing side for having previously voted down similar bills. Emphasis is placed on preferring one's own "clean solution," and the minister is urged to take into account the opinions of local residents.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
A strong regional focus is placed on Hiiumaa, where the specific conditions of the island environment are being emphasized in the context of the vocational education reform. They are demanding that a regional impact analysis be conducted before the infrastructure of the Hiiumaa Vocational School is dismantled. The speaker also mentioned their origin from Võrumaa.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
No data available.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The main social issue is citizenship and loyalty, with grey passport holders being publicly deemed disloyal due to their decades-long refusal to apply for Estonian citizenship. Educational issues are examined through a regional socio-economic lens, specifically opposing the closure of educational institutions in rural areas.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The primary legislative goal is to restrict voting rights in local elections solely to Estonian citizens, a matter for which draft legislation has been repeatedly introduced. The speaker opposes the government's proposal, particularly the part that would enshrine a disloyal solution in the constitution. Also in focus is the requirement to conduct a regional impact analysis before implementing the vocational education reform.
3 Speeches Analyzed