Session Profile: Mart Helme
15th Riigikogu, Fifth Session, Plenary Session
2025-03-12
Political Position
The political focus is on the government's lack of accountability and transparency, and the suppression of parliament. The speaker strongly opposes the government's style, which includes failing to provide figures and materials to the National Audit Office and avoiding committees. The position is forceful and cautionary, warning that such activity will lead Estonia to the status of a "failed state." This is primarily a performance-driven stance, criticizing the government's actions and effectiveness.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in parliamentary oversight and state governance procedures, particularly concerning the work of special committees and the mandates of the National Audit Office. He/She emphasizes systemic problems where officials and ministers refuse to provide materials to the committees or fail to appear when summoned, which obstructs the work of the parliament.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style of speech is extremely combative, emotional, and accusatory, employing sharp phrases such as "usurped power" and "failed state." Irony and folk wisdom are utilized ("where else are you going to get a laugh if you don't make one yourself"), but the overall tone remains serious and cautionary, emphasizing the negative consequences of the government's actions. The speaker also references the opponents' PR tactics and personal attacks that have been directed against them.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker actively participates in plenary sessions, posing questions during the Q&A hour and engaging in debates. He/She refers to his/her experience on the special anti-corruption committee, which demonstrates a focus on issues of parliamentary oversight.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponent is the Reform Party-led government and Kaja Kallas personally, who stands accused of usurping power and suppressing parliament. The criticism is intense, focusing both on procedural violations (failure to appear, withholding materials) and moral failure ("shady dealings, theft, and other such nonsense"). The government's actions are being compared to the situation in Romania and are viewed as a threat to the country's very survival.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker stresses the need for parliamentary dialogue that also takes into account the opposition’s positions and draft legislation. Cooperation with the current government is completely absent, as the government is accused of tossing the opposition’s bills in the trash and continuing along a voluntaristic path.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is exclusively on the national level, addressing government governance, the work of the parliament, and the very question of the Estonian state's continued existence. An international comparison with Romania is drawn to highlight the perilous nature of the government's conduct.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The economic views center on criticizing the government’s use of money, accusing them of arbitrarily distributing funds, misappropriation, and "misappropriation and stealing." While no specific economic policy solutions are offered, the absence of fiscal discipline and transparency is strongly highlighted.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Not enough data
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The primary legislative focus is on strengthening government accountability and parliamentary oversight, specifically to compel ministers and officials to attend committee hearings and present necessary materials. The speaker vigorously supports this corresponding draft legislation, which he claims is non-partisan, but which the government has rejected.
2 Speeches Analyzed