Agenda Profile: Mart Helme
Interpellation regarding the capability to ensure internal security in the new situation where uncontrolled immigration has made the people of Estonia worried about their property and their lives (No. 536)
2024-01-15
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session.
Political Position
The political focus is on strong opposition to mass immigration, which is primarily treated as an existential threat to national security, with references made to GRU and FSB infiltration and the risk of overthrowing the constitutional order. There is also sharp criticism regarding the decline in the number of police officers and the uneven salary system following the speaker's departure from the government. These positions are strongly value-based and center on the inadequacy of the government's actions.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise regarding the operating principles of state security and special services, describing the recruitment methods of the GRU and FSB—specifically, identifying vulnerabilities and "getting the hook in"—and noting how intelligence operatives are indistinguishable from the general population. He draws historical parallels to the mass immigration that occurred during the Soviet era and references charts detailing police staffing levels, highlighting the corresponding time lag before crime rates increase.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The speaker’s style is extremely combative, aggressive, and emotionally charged, using strong appeals to emphasize fear and danger, such as references to "shock troops" and "slitting throats." Historical parallels are employed (the Soviet period, the Singing Revolution), alongside colloquial expressions ("what's loose is taken," "in a slipshod manner"). The government is accused of irresponsibility and naiveté, operating on "pink dreams."
8 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is taking part in the Riigikogu inquiry concerning internal security, which provides an opportunity to pose pointed questions and criticize the government's actions. He refers to his previous work as Minister of the Interior and analyzes data published in the media, specifically mentioning the graph concerning the number of police officers that appeared in Eesti Ekspress.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary targets are the government as a whole, along with Minister and Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, who stands accused of naivety and underestimating the threat posed by mass immigration. The criticism is intense, focusing both on political incompetence (specifically, the failure to control the border) and the disregard for security risks. There is no sign of a willingness to compromise; instead, the government is being accused of jeopardizing the security of the state.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
There is a complete lack of any reference to cooperation, willingness to compromise, or bipartisan activity; the speech is aimed at sharply attacking the government and the minister and highlighting the inefficiency of their actions.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is clearly on national security and international threats, especially Russian intelligence activities and the potential consequences of the war in Ukraine. Domestically within Estonia, various regions (Pärnu, Võru, Assamalla, Saaremaa) are mentioned only as examples of where immigrants or agents might spread.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic viewpoints focus on public sector wage policy and labor issues, criticizing the haphazard inconsistency of the police salary system ("lippadi-loppadi") and the abolishment of special pensions. It is mentioned that when the speaker was in government, there was a plan on the table to standardize the Ministry of Interior's wage policy, but this plan was later discarded.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The central social issue is mass immigration, which is treated as a direct threat both to property (rising crime, the "take what isn't nailed down" mentality) and to national security. There is a strong emphasis on the need to ensure security, pointing out that even among those granted temporary protection, there are individuals with malicious intent.
8 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is currently aimed at criticizing the government's inaction regarding the prevention of security threats and crime. The speaker references their previous tenure, during which the number of police officers increased, and notes that a plan to standardize the Ministry of the Interior's salary policy was on their desk, only to be tossed out immediately after they left office.
8 Speeches Analyzed