Session Profile: Helle-Moonika Helme
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
2025-05-07
Political Position
The political position is strongly opposed to the government's (especially the Reform Party's) economic and energy policies, highlighting their complexity and the high cost they impose on consumers. The key issues are high energy prices, massive tax increases, and the resulting emigration. The political framework is outcome-driven, accusing the government of worsening the public's standard of living and making life unaffordable.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in the energy sector, utilizing technical jargon (e.g., islanding test, supply curve, overconsumption) and highlighting the complexity of the system. Macroeconomic topics, such as the impact of taxes on GDP, are also addressed. The speaker supports their arguments by referencing education-themed conferences and even responses generated by artificial intelligence (ChatGPT).
8 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is highly combative, critical, and accusatory, often employing emotional appeals to highlight the hardships faced by the populace (e.g., emigration, expensive electricity). Sharp accusations are leveled at the government (arrogance, security scaremongering), and complex issues are simplified by contrasting the current situation with the notion that "it was easy and cheap before."
8 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
All speeches were delivered during a single plenary session. The speaker mentions recent participation in an education-themed conference and refers to fresh personal contacts from the service sector, which suggests active information gathering outside the Riigikogu.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponent is the Reform Party, which is sharply criticized for its arrogant style of governance, the massive increase in taxes, and the exploitation of the security issue for fearmongering. Criticism is aimed both at policy (energy prices, taxes) and at the personal level (with references to expense reimbursements and incompetence, such as the personal background of the head of European energy affairs).
8 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Insufficient data. The speaker primarily engages in oppositional criticism and rhetorical questioning; there are no indications of a willingness to compromise or cross-party cooperation.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is primarily at the national level (Estonia's tax environment, emigration) and the international level (references to Spanish taxes, climate, and European energy leaders). Emphasis is placed on Estonian residents leaving the country for economic reasons.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The speaker is vehemently opposed to tax hikes, arguing that they have pushed people past their breaking point and are fueling inflation and out-migration. They advocate for lowering taxes and excise duties to alleviate the burden on consumers and mitigate price increases, particularly concerning fuel costs. Furthermore, they are worried that the current tax policy is shrinking the GDP.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The main social issue is mass emigration, which is being described as epidemic and is directly linked to the high cost of living and tax burden in Estonia. Emphasis is placed on the state's loss of young taxpayers, citing the example of a young couple moving to Spain because they cannot cope with the daily cost of living in Estonia.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus centers on opposing the government’s tax policy, particularly concerning the repeal of the security tax and the Reform Party’s tax hikes as a whole. A draft bill is supported, which aims to lower excise duties and taxes, even slightly, to alleviate the burden on the people.
8 Speeches Analyzed