Agenda Profile: Mart Helme
First reading of the draft resolution of the Riigikogu “Establishment of a Riigikogu investigative committee to examine the circumstances related to the termination of Nordica’s activities” (543 OE)
2025-03-10
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
Political Position
Strongly supports the formation of a Riigikogu inquiry commission to clarify the circumstances surrounding the termination of Nordica’s activities, emphasizing the need for accountability and transparency. The political framework is heavily focused on criticizing the government’s actions and performance (thefts, negligence), accusing the Reform Party of decades of subjugating the state. The speaker stresses that state funds are taxpayer money, which has been wasted due to corrupt schemes, misappropriation, and outright theft.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise regarding the background of aviation company bankruptcy proceedings and state financing (30 million). He/She refers to his/her previous work as the Chairman of the Special Committee Against Corruption and the findings of the National Audit Office. The expertise focuses on financial schemes, such as cycling money through subsidiaries.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is extremely combative, accusatory, and emotional, using sharp and informative expressions ("thief governments," "money laundering governments," "stinks so terribly"). The speaker uses irony ("infectious laughter in the hall") and popular comparisons (Krylov's fable) and appeals more to the listeners' indignation than to detailed data. The tone is urgent and demands immediate action to expose the alleged criminality.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
He refers to his previous activity as the chairman of the special anti-corruption committee, where he repeatedly discussed the Nordica issue with representatives from the National Audit Office and various ministries. His current course of action is aimed at supporting the formation of a parliamentary inquiry committee in the Riigikogu, demanding clarification regarding the actions of governments that have failed to take responsibility.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponent is the Reform Party, which is directly accused of stealing state funds, money laundering, and driving Estonia into the status of a failed state. The criticism is intense and personal, labeling them as lacking accountability and utterly incompetent. Secondary criticism is also aimed at the Social Democrats (Sotsid), who are being treated as the new scapegoat, even though they previously "cooked up all this mess" together while in government.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The text refers to the previous coalition partnership (EKREIKE), where 30 million in support for Nordica was approved, but emphasizes that this only happened following heated disputes and at the Prime Minister's insistence. In the current context, there is absolutely no openness to compromise with the governing parties, demanding instead that they support an investigation to prove their own innocence.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is on the national level (the disappearance of the Estonian state, taxpayer money) and the international level (the need to fly directly to Brussels, a reference to Marco Rubio's quote about the disappearance of nations). Local or regional topics are absent.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
A strong emphasis is placed on fiscal responsibility and the fight against corruption, stressing that state money is taxpayer money that has been lost due to theft. It criticizes the government's economic decisions that have led to the bankruptcy of companies (Estonian Air, Nordica) and accuses the Reform Party of successful embezzlement.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
No data
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The primary legislative objective is the adoption of Riigikogu Draft Resolution 543 OE, which would establish an investigative committee into Nordica's activities. The speaker is a strong proponent of this initiative and demands its swift passage in order to clarify the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the funds.
2 Speeches Analyzed