Session Profile: Helle-Moonika Helme
15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, press briefing
2025-04-16
Political Position
The speaker holds a strongly oppositional political stance, focusing on the government's failures in the social sector and the economy. He sharply criticizes the cuts to benefits for people with disabilities and the legal system's unfair handling of the elderly care home scandals (Pihlakodu, Värska). The speaker frames the government's actions as a values-based critique, accusing them of prioritizing businessmen (in the arms, renewable energy, and banking sectors) at the expense of the most vulnerable.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates detailed awareness of social welfare issues, specifically citing cases like Tabasalu Pihlakodu and Värska care home, alongside political decisions such as the elimination of the special care home waiting list and the work ability allowance of up to 600 euros. The speaker offers a broad, albeit general, critique concerning the state of the economy, taxation, education, finance, and energy, while underscoring the vulnerability of the social sector.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The tone is extremely combative, accusatory, and emotional, using strong and degrading epithets directed at the government ("incompetent, arrogant, and cynical bunglers"). The speaker repeatedly uses rhetorical questions ("Seriously?") and intense expressions ("a blatant crime against humanity," "trampling on the experiences of loved ones"), strongly appealing to emotions and demanding accountability. The style is more emotional and accusatory than logical or data-driven.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker actively participates in the Riigikogu information sessions, using this platform to sharply criticize the government’s recent decisions and current scandals (including the nursing home cases and social benefit cuts). These patterns of activity suggest a reactive approach to fast-moving events and the government's operational agenda.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponents are the Reform Party, the government as a whole (including Minister Liisa Pakosta, former Minister Riisalo, and the Minister of Finance), and nursing home entrepreneurs connected to the Reform Party. The criticism is intense and wide-ranging, accusing the adversaries of incompetence, arrogance, and ethical cynicism. The speaker rules out compromise, demanding accountability and accusing the government of attacking the weakest members of society.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Data is lacking regarding cooperation or willingness to compromise. All statements presented are aimed at attacking the government and its associated business interests.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The speaker focuses on national policy and the functioning of the legal system, but highlights specific cases in Estonia as examples, such as the scandals involving the Tabasalu Pihlakodu and Värska care homes. The regional focus is related to ensuring the safety and security of social welfare institutions nationwide.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The speaker opposes the government's tax policy, suggesting that taxes are actually rising despite the government claiming otherwise. He sharply criticizes the channeling of state resources into the pockets of major business interests (arms dealers, renewable energy magnates, bankers) while social benefits are simultaneously being cut. He advocates for social redistribution and the protection of the vulnerable by the state.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The speaker’s primary focus is the social sector, stressing the security of elderly care and the rights of people with disabilities. They condemn the violence that has taken place in care homes and sharply criticize the withdrawal of benefits (the work ability allowance, special care home waiting list priority) from disabled children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities. The speaker emphasizes the necessity of protecting the weakest and most vulnerable members of society.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The speaker’s focus is on criticizing the government’s political decisions and the legal system’s inaction, rather than initiating specific new pieces of legislation. They demand accountability from the care home entrepreneurs and reform of the legal system to protect victims of rape, not the institutions where the crimes took place.
2 Speeches Analyzed