Agenda Profile: Mart Helme

Elections of the Riigikogu Board

2024-04-04

15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session

Political Position
The political focus is on the elections for the Riigikogu Board and the democratic balance of the parliament. The speaker strongly opposes Jüri Ratas's election using coalition votes, labeling it a step towards authoritarianism and the creation of a controlled opposition. This position is intensely value-based, centering on the themes of the legitimacy of power and the parliament's agony.

2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise regarding the procedural rules of the Riigikogu (protocol, follow-up questions) and political terminology (authoritarianism, controlled opposition). This expertise is directed towards evaluating the internal workings of the parliament and democratic principles. There are no references to economic data or technical details.

2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style of delivery is extremely combative and dramatic, utilizing strong terminology such as "authoritarianism" and "the agony of power." The appeals are primarily emotional and value-based, highlighting the danger inherent in parliamentary procedures. The tone is formal, yet it contains a powerful political accusation.

2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker's activity has been concentrated on a specific Riigikogu procedure (the election of the Presidium), submitting both a follow-up question and a motion to certify the voting results on the same day. This demonstrates a focus on intervening during critical political moments.

2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary adversaries are the ruling coalition and the current government, who face criticism for disrupting the democratic balance within parliament. The criticism is both intense and procedural, specifically accusing the government of solidifying authoritarianism and establishing a controlled opposition via Jüri Ratas. There is no expression of readiness to compromise; instead, they are documenting the regime's agony.

2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Data on the style of cooperation is lacking, as the speeches are purely confrontational and critical of the coalition's activities. Rain Epler’s question is mentioned, and a follow-up question is posed in response, but this is merely a contextual reference, not an indicator of cooperation.

2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is strictly national, centering on the internal political procedures of the Riigikogu and the democratic course of the Republic of Estonia.

2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Insufficient data.

2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Insufficient data.

2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is directed toward the procedure for electing the Riigikogu Board and its political significance. The speaker acts as a procedural critic, highlighting the lack of legitimacy of the elected board from the standpoint of parliamentary democracy.

2 Speeches Analyzed