Session Profile: Helle-Moonika Helme
The 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
2025-11-03
Political Position
The political focus is directed towards social crises and supporting pensioners, stressing that current assistance is insufficient and absolutely necessary given the context of the crises. The speaker criticizes the government's failure to ensure a decent standard of living, labeling the current situation a national disgrace. The stance is strongly supportive of increasing social measures and highly critical of the government's performance.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in the social sector and the specifics of the pension system, correcting the public understanding of the special pensions granted to Riigikogu members. They use numerical context to assess the modest size of the support payments and mention checking the data online. This expertise is further highlighted by requesting an expert opinion from a colleague with a social work background regarding the decent subsistence level.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is critical, sharp, and emotionally charged, employing powerful imagery such as "living like a worm" and "a stain on the nation's honor." The speaker poses pointed rhetorical questions directed at the government, casting doubt on their intentions during the vote on support measures. Although the tone is aggressive, factual correction regarding the special pensions of the Riigikogu (Estonian Parliament) is also utilized.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker actively participates in the plenary session, asking questions regarding social measures and pensions. They refer to checking data online, which demonstrates preparation when analyzing specific support amounts. Other activity patterns or frequency cannot be determined based on the data provided.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponents are Kaja Kallas and the Reform Party, who are being criticized for undervaluing social assistance during the crisis. The opposition is intense, attacking the coalition over its low public support (11%) and suspecting that they will vote down support measures intended for pensioners. The criticism is aimed both at their policies and the legitimacy of the government itself.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker demonstrates a willingness to cooperate in defining the substance of the policy, respectfully addressing their colleague (Helmen). They acknowledge the colleague’s background as a social worker and request a hypothetical expert opinion regarding the dignified minimum standard of living. This indicates a readiness to involve specialists and experts in the legislative debate.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is clearly national, centered on supporting pensioners and defining a dignified subsistence level nationwide. There are no references to specific regional problems or projects.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Strongly supports increasing social expenditure and redistributing income to ensure a dignified standard of living for pensioners and those in need. It considers the current support payments to be economically and morally inadequate, citing the necessity of raising the subsistence minimum to avoid a national disgrace.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The main social focus is on alleviating poverty and ensuring a dignified standard of living for the elderly. The speaker uses a moral framework to emphasize the state's responsibility and criticize the situation where people are forced to live "like a worm."
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The proposal is supported in principle—it is aimed at supporting pensioners ("a very good bill")—but the focus remains on ensuring that the legislative measures guarantee substantially larger amounts. The legislative priority is defining and achieving a dignified subsistence level to avoid national embarrassment.
2 Speeches Analyzed