Session Profile: Helle-Moonika Helme
XV Riigikogu, VI Session, Plenary Sitting
2025-11-10
Political Position
The speaker is in staunch opposition to the government’s tax policy, criticizing 26 separate tax hikes and the proposed tax cut bill specifically targeting online casinos. This political position is results-oriented, demanding accountability for the inefficient use of defense spending and prioritizing the alleviation of the tax burden on ordinary people. The government’s activities are viewed as senseless and entirely driven by lobby groups.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise on the topics of tax policy (VAT, gambling tax) and national defense (the capability to detect attack drones, 5% of GDP for defense spending). He/She uses specific figures (26 taxes, 5% of GDP) and refers to the necessity of conducting impact assessments. This expertise focuses primarily on the shortcomings of the government's actions in these specific areas.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is combative, critical, and sarcastic, utilizing ironic comparisons to describe the government's actions ("How to spend a billion," "Brezhnev's little package"). The focus is on logical critique and demanding accountability, posing repeated and pointed questions (e.g., "who and how is responsible for this!"). The speaker also employs emotional appeals, referencing the public groaning under the weight of the tax burden.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker actively participates in the plenary session by submitting interpellations and questions, focusing on challenging the government's responses and highlighting inefficiency. Noteworthy is the request for additional time and the repeated posing of questions to demand accountability. All addresses originate from a single session day.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main criticism is aimed at the government and the prime minister, accusing them of serving lobby groups and ignoring the public's tax burden. The criticism is intense, focusing on political and ethical shortcomings (such as 26 tax hikes and prioritizing online casinos). No willingness to compromise has been expressed; instead, the reversal of decisions is being demanded.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker expresses support for an alternative model for funding culture (tax incentives for businesses), which they deem viable, but makes no reference to existing cooperation with other political parties. Information is lacking regarding cross-party collaboration or the pursuit of compromises concerning the current legislative drafts.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is on national issues, especially the tax burden carried by the Estonian people and the shortcomings in national defense capabilities (attack drones). Concrete local or regional problems are not highlighted in the speeches.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
They prioritize easing the tax burden on ordinary people, demanding a reduction in VAT on foodstuffs. They are strongly opposed to tax cuts aimed at lobby groups (such as online casinos) and criticize the government's wasteful fiscal policy, where significant spending (5% of GDP) fails to deliver results.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The piece addresses the support of culture, criticizing the government's attempt to link cultural funding to tax cuts for online casinos, calling it an unstable "if-based" solution. It advocates for stable financing for cultural workers, but not through cuts made at the expense of other administrative sectors.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
He is a strong opponent of the proposed tax cut bill for online casinos, calling it the result of lobbying and ineffective. He demands accountability from the government for the lack of capability to detect attack drones. He would support a legislative initiative that would allow businesses to support culture through tax incentives.
4 Speeches Analyzed