Agenda Profile: Martin Helme
Draft law amending the Act on the Election of Municipal Councils (639 SE) – First Reading
2025-09-11
15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary session
Political Position
The political position is urgently focused on resolving the legal confusion surrounding the residency requirement for local election candidates, a situation that has resulted in formal complaints and criminal proceedings. The original draft bill proposed completely abolishing the requirement, but the pragmatic preference is to legally stipulate that the entry in the Population Register is the sole basis. The speaker emphasizes that this is an issue affecting all political parties and expresses long-standing opposition to the "two-seat law."
7 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in election law and administrative law, particularly regarding the definition of domicile and the resulting legal confusion. They are intimately familiar with the practical ramifications of this issue, including litigation and the initiation of criminal cases, and propose specific legislative mechanisms for reform, drawing a clear distinction between "permanent residence" and a "register entry."
7 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is pragmatic and insistent, emphasizing the need to quickly resolve the "legal tangle" and avoid chasing one another. Logical arguments are used to achieve clarity, avoiding emotional appeals, but adding vivid metaphors (e.g., "circular firing squad") to emphasize the universal nature of the problem. The speech is direct and uses simplified terms, such as "sissekirjutus" instead of the official "registrikanne."
7 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is actively participating in the legislative process, presenting the draft bill during the first reading. He/She refers to earlier work conducted by the committee in the spring, where the draft bill was decided to be rejected. He/She is currently engaged in inter-factional communication to find a solution.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
Direct criticism is aimed at the current ambiguous law and court rulings, which have exacerbated the situation and are causing denunciations and the initiation of criminal cases. Political opponents are not being attacked; instead, it is emphasized that the legal chaos affects all political parties equally. The criticism is procedural and concerns the violation of political culture ("the two-chair law").
7 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker is cooperative and pragmatic, having held discussions with the factions of almost all other parties. He is prepared to abandon his original proposal in order to reach the compromise solution preferred by the other factions (fixing the register entry). He urges the members of the Riigikogu to make the necessary amendments during the second reading, rather than rejecting the draft bill outright.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is on the nationwide regulation of the local government election law, which affects all municipalities. Although examples such as Tallinn (income tax, schools, bus travel) and the conflict regarding primary residence versus a country home are used, it is emphasized that this is a universal issue. Residence registration is directly linked to the income tax revenue received by a specific local authority.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic views are limited to directly linking residence registration with the local government budget, as this determines where an individual's income tax is allocated. This connection is an important argument when regulating the residence requirement.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Not enough data
7 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on amending the Local Government Council Election Act (639 SE) to eliminate legal ambiguity regarding candidacy requirements. The objective is to ensure that the register entry is clearly stipulated in the law as the basis for residency. The speaker is the initiator and supporter of the bill, emphasizing the need to reach a resolution during the second reading.
7 Speeches Analyzed