Session Profile: Mart Helme
15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary session
2025-09-10
Political Position
The political stance is fiercely oppositional, centered on the government's incompetence in managing healthcare (specifically the accessibility of medical care and treatment waiting lists) and budget planning. The speaker stresses a principled opposition to the abuse of power, demanding the minister's resignation. Regarding healthcare, the position is forcefully critical, citing articles written by general practitioners and personal experience with treatment queues.
14 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in the Interior Ministry’s portfolio, citing detailed knowledge of the budgets allocated for the construction of the eastern border, the new Security Police headquarters, the helicopter fleet, and the upgrade of border guard patrol boats. On the subject of healthcare, he draws upon personal experience (waiting for knee surgery) and articles written by general practitioners (such as Madis Veskimäe), while simultaneously criticizing the current minister’s ignorance regarding necessary funding.
14 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style of rhetoric is extremely aggressive, accusatory, and emotional, using strongly contemptuous language (e.g., "brazen self-will," "fascism-tinged attitude"). Dramatic exaggerations and historical parallels (Goebbels, Mengele) are used to label opponents as promoting political activism and human experimentation. Instead of logical arguments, emphasis is placed on personal experiences and suspicions (e.g., personal gain derived from the vaccine campaign).
14 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The pattern of activity is focused on sharply criticizing and questioning the minister during the plenary session, particularly on healthcare and COVID-19 issues. The speaker mentions using their media staff ("New News") to check the transcripts, which suggests a systematic search for the opponent's errors.
14 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary target is the Minister of Health (Karmen Joller) and the Reform Party, who stand accused of incompetence, abuse of power, and dictating the work of parliament. The criticism is intense and personal, labeling the minister a "political activist" and "unfit for office." Compromise is ruled out, with demands for the minister's resignation and complete removal from politics.
14 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Information regarding the style of cooperation with other political parties is unavailable; colleague Züleyxa Izmailova and the party’s own media staff are referenced when verifying the transcripts. Cooperation with the government is ruled out, as the speaker does not believe in "commissioned science" and demands independent research.
14 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The regional focus is clearly Pärnu, expressing personal affection ("I love Pärnu, I've loved it since I was a baby") and the desire to run in the local elections there. The political issues (healthcare, border construction) are predominantly national, but the mention of Pärnu is connected to the legislative focus.
14 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The economic views presented are highly critical of the government, emphasizing its incompetence in planning the financing of major projects (such as the eastern border and the Kapo headquarters) and healthcare. Strong distrust is also expressed regarding the billion-dollar profits of pharmaceutical companies and the scientific research they commission, with the clear implication that "money talks."
14 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
A dominant social theme is strong opposition to COVID-19 era restrictions and vaccination, which are widely viewed as human rights violations and having a fascist undertone. Particular emphasis is placed on opposing the right of children (aged 13–14) to make independent medical decisions regarding vaccination, in defense of parental authority.
14 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus concerns the organization of the Riigikogu’s work (opposition to pressuring the minister to remove the "uhu-conference") and the rules governing local elections. The speaker opposes residency restrictions in the context of the "two-chair law," calling them "relics of the feudal age."
14 Speeches Analyzed