Agenda Profile: Mart Helme
Second reading of the draft law amending the Alcohol, Tobacco, Fuel and Electricity Excise Tax Act and other laws (510 SE)
2024-12-04
15th Estonian Parliament, 4th session, plenary sitting
Political Position
The political position is strongly opposed to raising excise duties, accusing the government and the Ministry of Finance of relying on biased and incorrect analysis. Furthermore, they stress the need for political accountability concerning the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, which they view as a politically motivated undertaking during which vaccines caused health injuries. The focus is primarily on criticizing the government's actions and demanding value-based accountability, rather than presenting detailed political alternatives.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates awareness of previous excise tax reductions and the accuracy of the Ministry of Finance’s calculations, thereby casting doubt on the reliability of the current analysis. Furthermore, the speaker references international developments, mentioning US Congressional hearings and experts regarding the political nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of vaccines.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The speaking style is extremely combative, accusatory, and emotional, focusing on the opposing side's procedural dishonesty ("you are willfully ignoring the facts"). Direct and personal attacks are employed (e.g., addressing Tanel), and it is emphasized that civilized debate is impossible until the coalition takes the opposition's arguments into account. The speaker uses strong accusations regarding corruption and cronyism, relying more on an emotional sense of justice than on detailed statistics.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speech was delivered in the Riigikogu during the second reading of the Draft Act on Excise Duties on Alcohol, Tobacco, Fuel, and Electricity (Bill 510 SE). The speaker referenced hearings and reports of the American Congress, utilizing international events to demand domestic political accountability. Data concerning other activities is unavailable.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The standoff is directed against representatives of the coalition and the government, who are accused of systemic corruption, cronyism, and ignoring the opposition's arguments ("stonewalling"). The criticism is intense and personal, accusing the opponents of presenting false claims and misleading statistics. Compromise is rejected until the opposing side begins to take into account the positions of the people's representatives.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The style of cooperation is one of conditional refusal; the speaker refuses to hold a civilized debate as long as the coalition continues to ignore the opposition’s arguments and stonewall. The prerequisite for cooperation is the opposing side’s willingness to consider the positions of the people’s representatives and debate them on merit. Under the current conditions, there is no intention of playing by the coalition’s rules.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is primarily on national tax policy issues (excise duties) and, at the international level (US Congressional hearings), on the topic of COVID-19 liability. There is no specific local or regional focus.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic views are strongly opposed to raising excise duties, criticizing the unreliability and political bias of the Ministry of Finance’s analyses used to justify the tax increases. Emphasis is placed on the negative experiences from previous excise duty changes, where the Ministry’s calculations turned out to be wrong.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The main social issue revolves around the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccines, which are being viewed as a political operation that resulted in health damage and fatalities. Accountability is being demanded from politicians and officials, both in Estonia and internationally, concerning the management of the pandemic.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on contesting the draft bill (510 SE) to amend the Alcohol, Tobacco, Fuel, and Electricity Excise Duty Act. The speaker is a strong opponent of the bill, focusing on the procedural and analytical deficiencies in its adoption.
1 Speeches Analyzed