Session Profile: Mart Helme
15th Estonian Parliament, 4th session, plenary sitting
2024-12-04
Political Position
The political position is strongly anti-government, focusing criticism on the utility of foreign missions (which they label a "mercenary mentality") and the unjustifiable nature of excise tax hikes. It is stressed that Estonia is an object, not a subject, in the international arena. They also sharply criticize the corrupt system and the government's callous disregard. Furthermore, they demand political accountability for the management of the COVID-19 pandemic.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
Demonstrates knowledge regarding the failures of foreign missions (Afghanistan, the arming of the Taliban) and geopolitical relations (the agreement between Washington and Moscow). On economic topics, the focus is on excise policy and questioning the reliability of the Ministry of Finance's analyses. It also refers to US Congressional hearings and reports concerning the political nature of the COVID-19 pandemic.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is extremely confrontational, emotional, and accusatory, including direct insults ("I'm going to chew you out," "You guys are a joke!") and shouting. The speaker consciously refuses to hold a "civilized debate," because the coalition "is playing dumb" and resorting to demagoguery. The appeals are based primarily on morality, system criticism, and fear of accountability, while also referencing legal and statistical arguments.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speeches were delivered during the debate on specific bills at the plenary session of the Riigikogu. The speaker points to the repeated and consistent voting against all government bills, which demonstrates active and persistent opposition activity in the legislative process.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponents are the coalition and the government, who are accused of demagoguery, willful ignorance (or stonewalling), and corrupt mutual protection. The criticism is intense and covers both political aspects (excise duties, missions) and procedural aspects, as well as personal warnings regarding accountability (the COVID-19 issue). Compromise is ruled out until the opposing side begins to take the opposition's arguments into consideration.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Cooperation with the government coalition is completely lacking; the speaker refuses a civilized debate until the coalition stops stonewalling. Positive reference and support are given to the legally justified positions of the colleague (Varro Vooglaid) on matters of constitutionality.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is primarily on international security issues (missions in Lebanon, Syria, Israel, the precedent of Afghanistan) and domestic policy (excise taxes, and the equipment of the defense forces). Reference is also made to the U.S. Congressional hearings concerning COVID-19. Local or regional topics are absent.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
There is strong opposition to raising excise duties because the Ministry of Finance's analysis is, in the speaker's assessment, politically biased and invalid. Previous excise duty reductions and their impact are cited as an example of the government's untrustworthiness.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Strong criticism regarding the management of the COVID-19 pandemic, alleging that it was a political operation and that the vaccines caused health damage and fatalities. In the context of foreign missions, there is an ironic mention of the "rainbow flag" being taken to Kabul, referencing the opposition to progressive social symbolism being used in these missions abroad.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The primary focus is the opposition to the draft legislation concerning the deployment of Estonian defense forces personnel to foreign missions (Lebanon, Syria, Israel), as well as the bills proposing an excise tax hike. Ensuring constitutionality is also a key priority, supporting the position that the mission bills are in conflict with the constitution because they function as blank checks.
2 Speeches Analyzed