Session Profile: Helle-Moonika Helme
15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, press briefing
2025-09-10
Political Position
The political stance is strongly anti-government, accusing the administration of incompetence and the deliberate use of fear (the threat of war) for the purpose of domestic political mobilization. The most salient issues concern the impact of national security messaging on the public's mental health and the economy, as well as family policy during times of crisis. This position is firmly opposed to tax hikes and spending cuts justified by war fears, while simultaneously demanding preparation for life, not just for war.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise regarding the social and demographic consequences accompanying defense policy decisions, particularly those related to mandatory military service for women. He/She connects national defense readiness to population sustainability, youth health (specifically mentioning the elimination of physical education), and the absence of a family-friendly crisis plan. Furthermore, the speaker shows awareness of alleged examples of incompetence involving specific ministers.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is combative, critical, and emotionally charged, focusing on generating fear and stress within society. It employs personal attacks against ministers, often labeling them as foul-mouthed or incompetent, and accuses the opposing party of "gaslighting." The speaker leans heavily on emotional appeals and hypothetical negative scenarios (emigration, destruction of the gene pool).
4 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
Not enough data
4 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary adversary is the government and its ministers, who are sharply criticized both for personal incompetence and for consciously sowing fear. The criticism is intense, accusing the government of exploiting the threat of war as a tool to remain in power in order to justify tax increases and budget cuts. Criticism is also aimed at the nation's chief strategists, who are allegedly frightening the public on purpose.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Not enough data
4 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is primarily on the national level (the sense of security, birth rate, and investments of Estonian residents) and the international context, noting similar defense policy developments in Latvia and Lithuania. Reference is also made to European countries that are increasing security spending due to the fear of war.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic viewpoints are strongly opposed to tax hikes and spending cuts, which are viewed as bleeding the public dry and causing investments to flee. Concerns are being voiced that continuous financial squeezing and intimidation will lead to the departure of specialists and investments.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The speaker focuses on family policy, population sustainability, and mental health among social issues. He/She is categorically opposed to mandatory military service for women, arguing that it jeopardizes family structures, birth rates, and accelerates the emigration of young professionals from Estonia. The necessity of a family-friendly crisis plan is stressed, one that would ensure the availability of childcare providers in the event of mobilization.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is centered on opposing and critically assessing existing defense and social policy plans, particularly those concerning women's military service. There is a demand for a functional, family-friendly crisis plan and a discussion on how to ensure the availability of childcare providers during mobilization. Furthermore, there is a call to build up military readiness without emotionally or materially exhausting the population.
4 Speeches Analyzed