Agenda Profile: Mart Helme
Security
2025-09-10
15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, press briefing
Political Position
The political focus is heavily directed toward national security and the necessity of completing the construction of the eastern border. A forceful stance is maintained: the border must be fortified, protected, and secured with appropriate surveillance equipment. The framework is primarily results-oriented, criticizing the opponents' lack of action over the past five years and highlighting one's own concrete initiatives undertaken previously as Minister of the Interior. Security deficiencies are exemplified by the theft of a border buoy committed by Russia, which underscores Estonia's lack of capability.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in the domain of the Minister of the Interior, particularly regarding border construction procedures, such as announcing tenders and optimizing the budget. He uses specific details (e.g., a 3 km border section, border buoys, surveillance equipment) to back up his claims and expose the government's inaction. He stresses his role as the actual initiator of the border construction.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The speaker employs a highly combative, accusatory, and urgent style, stressing five years of complete inaction. Direct and emotional language is used, including phrases like "drivel" and "hot air," and opponents are accused of demagoguery. The appeals are a mix of alleged facts (uncompleted procurements) and the state's perceived helplessness in the face of security challenges (the theft of the border buoy).
3 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
All the speeches date from the same day, indicating an intense focus on the security issue during a specific public appearance—apparently a debate or a press conference. The pattern of action heavily relies on comparing past activities (starting border construction as Minister of the Interior) with the current situation.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponents are Kristen Michal (mentioned by name) and, more broadly, the government represented by the "deep state." The criticism is intense and targets both political inaction (procurements left undone, funds withdrawn) and the use of demagoguery and the spreading of lies. The opponents' explanations are dismissed as completely irrelevant ("nonsense") and there is no indication of a willingness to compromise.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Not enough data
3 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is heavily on national security and border regions, particularly the eastern and southeastern borders. The necessity of fortifying these areas with surveillance equipment and physical infrastructure to ensure the country's defense is emphasized.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The economic viewpoints primarily focus on the purposeful allocation of state funds towards security infrastructure. There is criticism regarding the diversion of financial resources away from border construction, and support for launching the necessary tenders to prevent an expensive, yet unexecuted "pakasuhha."
3 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The primary social issue is national security and the state's ability to defend itself against external threats, exemplified by the theft of a border buoy. Strong emphasis is placed on guaranteeing the country's security and defense capabilities, highlighting the lack of capacity to prevent hostile actions.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus centers on the implementation of major security projects, particularly the construction of the eastern border infrastructure. Emphasis is placed on the necessity of conducting tenders and commencing actual work, rather than merely making political decisions. The speaker is requesting clarification regarding the objective of the government's new plans (the construction of bunkers).
3 Speeches Analyzed