Agenda Profile: Mart Helme
Draft law amending the Aliens Act and, in consequence thereof, amending other laws (to improve migration proceedings) – second reading
2025-03-18
Fifteenth Riigikogu, fifth sitting, plenary session
Political Position
The political position is strongly opposed to Draft Law 548 SE (streamlining migration procedures), viewing it as a means of destroying the nation-state and deepening a total crisis. This stance is value-based, emphasizing national identity and demographic stability, and blames "global, liberal, and open forces" for the situation. The draft law is opposed due to a lack of analysis regarding its impact on the migration balance and overall immigration.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates an understanding of the necessity of analyzing migration policy, requesting data regarding the draft bill's impact on net migration and the direction of the workforce into specific sectors. Furthermore, he shows awareness of regional economic issues (the lack of jobs outside Harju County) and demographic trends, referencing the population decline in both Estonia and Europe.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetoric is extremely combative, emotional, and urgent, expressing "rage" and "bewilderment" regarding the prevailing political policies. Strong accusations are employed (e.g., "brain-dead," "rotten," "globalists"), and warnings are issued about demographic replacement and the imminent disappearance of the Estonian state. Appeals are made both to intellectual capacity ("switch on your thinking apparatus") and to a sense of responsibility.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The course of action during this sitting is confined to legislative debate, where critical questions are raised regarding the bill's impact assessment, and long, ideologically charged counter-arguments are delivered. Reference is also made to previous occasions when appeals were made to the conscience and intellectual capacity of colleagues.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponents are representatives of the ruling coalition, who are branded as "globalists" and "liberalists" and accused of lobbying for cheap labor and the destruction of the nation-state. The criticism is intense and ideological, calling into question the opponents' foresight and sense of responsibility. The opponents' stolid indifference and brain-dead button-pushing are considered infuriating.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The collaborative style is evident in the support shown to like-minded colleagues, emphasizing the gravity and research-backed nature of the positions held by Mr. Valge and Mr. Grünthal. There is absolutely no indication of a willingness to compromise with the bill's proponents, who are accused of poisoning the state.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
A strong regional focus is directed toward the area outside Tallinn and Harju County, where there is a scarcity of jobs and limited wage potential, especially in agriculture. Criticism is leveled at the lack of a substantive regional policy, which has resulted in the depopulation of the countryside and the departure of educated Estonians to Finland.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic views are critical of importing labor, considering it a desire by lobbyists to secure cheap labor, which deepens the regional crisis. It is emphasized that the narrative of a labor shortage does not hold true outside the capital, and the activities of the Unemployment Insurance Fund (Töötukassa) are criticized as often being a waste of money. The interests of employers seeking cheap labor are set in opposition to the interests of the nation-state.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The primary social issue is immigration, which is framed as an existential threat to the Estonian nation-state and the shrinking scope of the Estonian language. Warnings are issued regarding demographic replacement, where the generation of Estonians dies out and is replaced by large communities of foreign peoples (Ukrainians, Russians, Belarusians, Muslims).
3 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is directed towards opposing the draft amendment to the Aliens Act (548 SE), with the group acting as a strong opponent. They are demanding a specific analysis of the draft's impact on the migration balance and immigration, and it is suspected that this is a bill drafted by lobbyists to secure cheap labor.
3 Speeches Analyzed