Agenda Profile: Mart Helme
Second reading of the Draft Act (359 SE) on amendments to the Law on the Organization of the Energy Economy, the Electricity Market Act, and the Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management System Act
2024-09-18
15th Estonian Parliament, 4th sitting, plenary session
Political Position
The political stance is sharply opposed to the government’s energy policy and economic management. Key issues include the Estonian recession (allegedly the largest and most protracted in the world) and the channeling of taxpayer money into unprofitable wind farms. The entire policy is framed as the destruction of the state and the siphoning off of resources, directed solely for the benefit of foreign companies. The position is strongly value-driven and results-oriented, focusing squarely on the government’s failures.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates knowledge in the field of energy policy and economics, highlighting data on the unprofitability of wind farms (roughly 70%) and taxpayer subsidization. Technical aspects are also discussed, such as reducing pollution from oil shale energy using filters and the vulnerability of battery banks in a security context. The report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Estonia's economic recession is referenced to support the overall criticism.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The speaker's rhetoric is extremely combative, accusatory, and emotional, employing sharp personal attacks (corrupt individuals, state thieves/embezzlers). Dramatic claims are used (e.g., a record economic downturn, 70% of wind farms operating at a loss) alongside sarcasm ("The Estonian success story"). The focus is on the moral condemnation of the government's actions and the deception of the public ("selling lies"). Instead of rationality, the emphasis is placed on manipulating security concerns.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The pattern of activity consists solely of participation in the Riigikogu session, during which both a procedural question (concerning the definition of "public interest") and two long, substantive, and critical speeches were delivered during the second reading of the energy bill. The speaker is an active participant in the debate, demanding additional time to present their views.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The confrontation is aimed at the entire coalition, especially the Reform Party, and members of the government (e.g., Kristina Kallas). The criticism is extremely intense, ranging from political issues (economic recession, procedural flaws in the draft legislation) to personal accusations (corrupt officials, state thieves). Compromise is ruled out, with demands for government members to resign.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The collaborative style is evident in the referencing and support of colleagues' arguments (Kalle, Mart Maastik), indicating cooperation within the opposition group. There is a complete absence of openness to compromise or cross-party cooperation, as the government is deemed corrupt.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is primarily national (covering the Estonian economy, the state budget, and the Estonian people) and international (with a reference to the IMF report and funds being transferred to Western Europe/Germany). It is stressed that only misery and the prospect of emigration remain in Estonia.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The economic perspective is highly critical of government spending and subsidies, particularly the use of taxpayer money to subsidize unprofitable wind farms. Emphasis is placed on the economic downturn, the resulting budget deficit, and the subsequent cuts and tax hikes. It is alleged that money and resources are being transferred out of Estonia to benefit foreign companies.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
In social affairs, the focus is on the government's proposed austerity measures, which include cuts to child benefits, parental support payments, and particularly the idea of ending pension indexation. This underscores how current economic policy directly harms the social sphere and the elderly, significantly reducing their standard of living.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus centers on the opposition to Draft Bill 359 SE (regarding energy and environmental impact assessment). The speaker is a staunch opponent who challenges the legal definition of "public interest" as utilized in the bill's explanatory memorandum, and criticizes the underlying energy policy principles that permit the circumvention of environmental analyses.
3 Speeches Analyzed