Session Profile: Helle-Moonika Helme
15th Estonian Parliament, 4th session, plenary sitting
2024-12-04
Political Position
The political position is strongly oppositional, centering on the government's failed excise duty policy and the reform concerning the transition to Estonian-language education. The speaker asserts that the government's actions have resulted in price inflation and increased border trade, while also discriminating against Estonian children. The platform is both value-based (protection of the Estonian language and people) and results-based (failure to collect excise revenue). The speaker proposes suspending the second reading of the draft law on basic education.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in refining statistical arguments concerning excise policy and cross-border trade, drawing a distinction between sales figures and domestic consumption. They are well-versed in the subject of language immersion in early childhood education, citing research regarding the impact of the proportion of non-native speaking children on the Estonian-language learning environment (specifically, the threshold exceeding 10%). Furthermore, they propose specific methodological solutions for structuring language instruction prior to the children's integration.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is sharply aggressive and emotional, repeatedly accusing opponents of demagoguery, stupidity, and being out of touch with reality. Strong value judgments and loaded language are employed, such as "vile international demagoguery" and "crime." Appeals are aimed both at correcting statistical arguments and at national sentiments (the threat of sacrificing the education of Estonian children).
9 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker has been active in plenary sessions over two consecutive days, participating in debates covering both economic and social issues. They reference their previous work on the committee and mention touring Estonia to engage with teachers and parents. This operational model encompasses both legislative duties and direct outreach to constituents.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponents are the government, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Education and Research (HTM), who are accused of incompetence and resorting to demagogic arguments. HTM's attack against the Isamaa amendment is described as "furious." Compromise is out of the question, as the speaker's faction proposes halting the reading of the draft law on basic education.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker supports the Isamaa faction’s amendment proposal to the draft Early Childhood Education Act, demonstrating collaboration with the opposition partner. They also refer to a discussion held with colleague Margit in the committee, although the general style is confrontational towards government coalition politicians and officials. The cooperation is focused on achieving common objectives within the opposition.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The regional focus is currently directed at the impact of border trade along the Latvian border, an issue that affects the entire Estonian economy. Within the context of the education reform, acute problems are being highlighted in Ida-Virumaa and Tallinn, areas characterized by a high concentration of Russian-speaking residents. The speaker connects this situation to the government's immigration policy, which has specifically led to an increase in the number of Russian speakers in these particular regions.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic perspectives are strongly opposed to the excise duty hikes, arguing that they fuel cross-border trade and result in a loss of tax revenue to Latvia. The speaker stresses that the government's actions have led to a general rise in prices across Estonia, forcing people to purchase fuel, essential goods, and groceries from Latvia. He criticizes the Ministry of Finance's impact assessment as completely detached from reality and utterly naive.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The primary social theme revolves around protecting the education and linguistic environment of Estonian children, asserting that the current shift to Estonian-language instruction discriminates against ethnic Estonian children. The speaker criticizes the government's immigration policy, which has brought more Russian-speaking individuals into the country, thereby intensifying the issues. They advocate for a specific methodology for teaching Estonian to non-native speaking children prior to their integration, in order to prevent a decline in the quality of Estonian-language education.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is currently centered on Draft Bill 419 concerning the Basic Education Act, the second reading of which the speaker's faction proposes to interrupt. The speaker is strongly opposed to the current form of the bill and supports the Isamaa amendments, which would guarantee Estonian children a learning and growth environment in their native language. Excise policy and its impact analysis were also a key focus.
9 Speeches Analyzed