Agenda Profile: Mart Helme
Interpellation concerning the rise in the cost of living in Estonia (No. 599)
2024-03-04
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary sitting
Political Position
The central theme is the escalating cost of living and deepening poverty, which is framed as the result of the long-term failure of the current government (the Reform Party and Isamaa). The political stance is strongly oppositional and results-oriented, stressing that despite the government’s positive statistics, people’s real lives are deteriorating—a situation likened to Soviet-era propaganda. The speaker criticizes the government’s refusal to lower the VAT on food and medicines, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Kaja Kallas.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates a detailed approach to describing the life of a poor person, highlighting daily struggles (eating oatmeal, relying on thrift stores, paying utility bills) and budgetary issues. They also show awareness of the state of the rural economy, referencing the closure of sawmills and dairies, and farmers putting their tractors up for sale. Instead of relying on hard data, the evidence used is primarily anecdotal and observational.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is highly combative, accusatory, and emotional, utilizing powerful historical analogies (the Soviet party committee, the Augean stables) and vivid, real-life descriptions of poverty (oatmeal, rags/hand-me-downs). Sharp and blaming language is employed ("fools," "filth/mess," "unbelievable cynicism"), and the opponent's integrity and competence are called into question. The tone is critical, emphasizing moral and operational failure rather than detailed data analysis.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speeches were delivered during the debate of the interpellation in the Riigikogu, which demonstrates active participation in parliamentary oversight mechanisms. The speaker mentions meeting his neighbor in the countryside on Saturday, referencing local interaction and the gathering of rural issues outside of parliamentary sessions. Other regular patterns of activity are not evident.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponents are Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and the coalition led by the Reform Party, including Isamaa, who are accused of destroying Estonia over the last 30 years. The criticism is both personal (questioning their honesty, cynicism, and ambition) and political (the destruction of the economy and the demise of rural life). The speaker demands Kaja Kallas's resignation and rules out any compromise, arguing that the government is "on a catastrophic path."
3 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker recognizes and thanks the Centre Party for submitting the interpellation, stressing that meaningful work in parliament is being carried out by the two opposition parties (EKRE and the Centre Party). There is a total absence of cooperation or readiness for compromise with the coalition, given that the government is considered completely unfit to govern the country.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is heavily directed toward the decline of rural areas, which is viewed as a direct consequence of government policy. Specific issues are highlighted, such as the closure of dairies and sawmills, and the termination of agricultural production, leading people to sell their machinery and leave the countryside.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The speaker opposes tax hikes and strongly criticizes the refusal to lower the VAT on essential goods (food, medicine). Regarding economic policy, labor issues are highlighted, with accusations that the government is replacing Estonians with cheaper Ukrainian labor and failing to create jobs in rural areas. The focus remains on protecting the poor and supporting local production.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The main social theme is widespread poverty and the difficulties that come with it, such as paying utility bills, the need for food aid, and acquiring clothes from thrift stores. Immigration is viewed in a negative light, with the government being accused of aiming to replace the population by substituting Estonians with cheaper Ukrainian labor.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The immediate focus is on holding the government accountable through an interpellation and demanding a change in tax policy (lowering the VAT). Additionally, the government's defense policy is sharply criticized, especially concerning the potential deployment of Estonian soldiers to Ukraine, while conscripts originating from Ukraine are being kept in Estonia.
3 Speeches Analyzed