Session Profile: Helle-Moonika Helme
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
2025-02-27
Political Position
The political position is strongly oppositional, focusing on criticizing the government’s actions and performance. The main theme is the alleged widespread corruption and deceit involved in allocating the funding for the green transition (2.6–2.8 billion euros), which is being treated as an attempted theft of state assets. The overall stance is strongly value-based, emphasizing the demand for honesty and accountability in politics.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates knowledge of the details of the corruption scheme, pointing to the falsification of TalTech's internal data, the utilization of a Norwegian shell company, and specific monetary amounts (2.6–2.8 billion). The investigation is focused on exposing administrative errors and fraud in the financing of the green transition, highlighting the findings of the National Audit Office and Jaak Aaviksoo.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is extremely combative, accusatory, and pressing, employing emotional and moral appeals regarding issues like corruption, fraud, and potential imprisonment. The speaker employs sharp personal attacks and sarcasm, accusing opponents of "gaslighting" and "desperate lying." The tone is formal, but the content is aggressively confrontational, emphasizing that the Parliament (Riigikogu) is not a kindergarten.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speeches were delivered during the plenary session debate on the motion of no confidence. Other activity patterns, such as frequency of appearances or meetings, are lacking.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponent is the government led by the Reform Party, which is consistently referred to as the "Ref Yoke Government." The criticism is intense and focuses on procedural corruption, ethical shortcomings, and personal accountability (Kristen Michal, Keit Kasemets). The speaker questions the minister's trustworthiness and suggests that they should be prepared for a prison sentence, ruling out any compromise.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The style of cooperation is evident in supporting the opposition's motion of no confidence and creating a unified critical narrative against the government. There is absolutely no indication of a willingness to compromise or engage in cross-party cooperation.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is at the national and international level, addressing the allocation of the state budget and European Union funds. There are no specific local or regional projects.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic views center on fiscal integrity and the fight against corruption within public finance. The speaker sharply criticizes the government's allocation of funds, which directs green transition subsidies to specific business groups ("the circle of energy businessmen"), viewing this as corrupt preferential treatment.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Instead of social problems, the focus is on political ethics and integrity in public life. In the third speech, there is a sarcastic reference to the Johanna-Maria Lehtme scandal, but broader positions on education, immigration, or social issues are absent.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The primary legislative focus is supporting a motion of no confidence stemming from government corruption and deception. The speaker is an active opponent of the government’s decisions regarding climate policy funding, which formed the basis of the alleged corruption.
3 Speeches Analyzed