Session Profile: Mart Helme
The 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
2025-11-03
Political Position
The political position is fiercely oppositional, centered on the government’s (Reform Party) failure to deliver on election promises regarding support for the elderly (a €1000 pension, tax-free pensions, and nursing home placements). The speaker stresses that the only solution to the country's problems is the removal of the government—which has lost the people's support—from power. The focus is on the government’s poor performance and value-based criticism, accusing those in power of stealing the country blind.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates detailed knowledge of the social sector, referencing specific Reform Party promises (€1000 pension, €776 tax-free threshold) and the increase in nursing home accommodation fees. Data from the State Audit Office reports concerning state budget deficits and wasteful spending is also utilized, citing a €1.35 billion shortfall in highway and railway construction. It is stressed that these shortfalls represent money spent at the expense of pensioners.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is extremely combative, emotional, and accusatory, employing sharp language to characterize the government and its supporters ("gang," "robbers," "rats"). The speaker utilizes powerful emotional appeals, highlighting the disgraceful plight of the elderly and the state's corrupt handling of public funds. Personal attacks are also deployed, specifically referencing a "repeat drunk driver" working in the office of the Speaker of the Riigikogu.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is actively participating in the Riigikogu plenary session, taking part in the debate concerning social and pension issues. There is a reference to the results of the local elections and the drafting of the agenda by the Office of the Speaker of the Riigikogu, which indicates consistent involvement in the current political discourse.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponent is the ruling coalition, specifically the Reform Party and Kaja Kallas, who stand accused of corruption, stealing from the public, and ignoring the elderly (referred to as a "troublesome extra cost"). The criticism is intense, ranging from policy disputes to outright personal attacks (e.g., calling someone a "repeat drunk driver"). Compromise is ruled out, with demands for the immediate removal of the government in order to resolve systemic problems.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker supports the initiative put forward by Lauri Laats (Centre Party), demonstrating a readiness to cooperate with opposition parties in solving social problems. However, the conviction was also expressed that the coalition will vote the draft bill down, which points to a lack of opportunities for cooperation with the governing parties.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is on national topics like the pension system, government budget waste, and large infrastructure projects (Rail Baltic). Regional focus only emerges through examples in the context of local elections (Rae municipality, Pärnu city) to illustrate the loss of the incumbents' "fiefdoms."
3 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The economic views are heavily focused on social justice and criticism of how the state uses public funds. The speaker opposes spending billions on "wind tycoons," "military contractors," and Rail Baltic, demanding instead that these resources be channeled into increasing pensions and support for people with disabilities and young families. They also oppose the taxation of pensions.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The social problems highlighted include the disgraceful plight of the elderly and disabled, whom the state treats merely as an annoying extra expense. Insufficient funding for young families and child benefits is also brought up. The speaker emphasizes that these individuals are the very builders of the nation, and yet funds are currently being wasted at the expense of their health and lifetime contributions.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on opposing social welfare bills that offer only temporary relief—"sticking a plaster on the wound"—instead of providing systemic treatment. We support Lauri Laats' initiative aimed at improving the situation of the elderly, but the primary priority remains changing the government to achieve a systemic overhaul of spending and social policy.
3 Speeches Analyzed