Agenda Profile: Mart Helme
Draft law amending the Holiday and Commemoration Day Act (453 SE) – first reading
2024-11-11
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
Political Position
The political stance is strongly value-driven, standing in opposition to the lifestyle imposed by the coalition—a lifestyle where people live only to work. The speaker clearly endorses the philosophy of "working to live," stressing the vital importance of rest and free days for maintaining both quality of life and professional energy. This position manifests as resistance to the proposed direction of the draft amendment (453 SE) to the Law on Holidays and Anniversaries, which seems designed to limit available free days.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates knowledge of history by citing the holiday system of Tsarist Russia and the hierarchy of those holidays, specifically referencing the birthdays and name days of the members of the imperial family. This historical anecdote is employed as an argument to support the value of leisure time and its positive effect on work energy.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The speaking style is combative and accusatory, employing strong emotional expressions such as "coalition slave drivers." The argumentation is supported by a historical anecdote about holidays in Tsarist Russia and a personal memory of a great-aunt, offering a contrasting example to the current policy. The speech concludes with a sharp rhetorical question concerning the commission's working philosophy.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
Insufficient data.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main adversaries are the ruling coalition, who are intensely criticized and labeled as "slave drivers." The criticism is value-based, focusing on the coalition's perceived desire to force people to live only in order to work, which points to a fundamental opposition to their socio-economic approach.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
There is not enough data.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is purely national and philosophical, addressing the work-life balance in a broader context. Regional or local topics are absent.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic perspectives strongly favor labor interests, stressing that rest and days off provide the energy and motivation needed to work. The speaker takes a stand against policies he deems servile, which treat work as the purpose of life, rather than the other way around.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The main social theme is work-life balance and the role that days off play in ensuring quality of life. This topic is explored through personal philosophy and historical examples, emphasizing the importance of human well-being.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus centers on opposing Draft Bill 453 SE, which proposes amendments to the Holidays and Commemoration Days Act. The speaker opposes the direction of the bill, specifically highlighting whether the committee addressed the aspect of work-life balance.
1 Speeches Analyzed