Agenda Profile: Martin Helme
Draft law amending the Alcohol, Tobacco, Fuel and Electricity Excise Tax Act and the Value Added Tax Act (594 SE) – First Reading
2025-05-07
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
Political Position
The political platform is strongly focused on lowering excise duties (on energy and alcohol) and VAT in order to restore the competitiveness of the Estonian economy, which the speaker believes is currently "dead." The highest priority is bringing excise duties down to the EU minimum level, requesting an exemption if necessary. This position is robustly results-driven, citing previous successful tax cuts that spurred economic growth and wage increases.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates authority on matters of taxation and public finance, focusing on the non-linear impact of excise duties and VAT on consumption and budget revenue. It is emphasized that tax reductions boost consumption and competitiveness, which offsets the creation of a budget shortfall, contrasting with the linear Excel spreadsheet calculations of "specialists" (the Bank of Estonia, Ministry of Finance). Historical examples illustrating the positive effect of lowering diesel and alcohol excise duties are used to substantiate this expertise.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is highly combative, aggressive, and contains personal attacks, calling opponents "idiots" and their arguments "crap," and accusing them of luring people into a "trolling trap." A combination of emotional condemnation and logical arguments based on the positive outcomes of previous tax cuts is employed. The tone is urgent, emphasizing that the economic situation demands immediate action.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The patterns of activity center on the debate surrounding the Riigikogu bill and the comparison of political timelines, particularly concerning the speed of government formation and when tax cuts took effect. The speaker stresses that the previous administration managed to enact the tax cuts within two months, contrasting this with the current government's lack of action. No other activities, such as meetings or travel, are mentioned.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponent is the Reform Party (colloquially known as "the Reffies") and the finance specialists they cite. The criticism is intense and personal, accusing the opponents of incompetence, a lack of economic understanding, and presenting false forecasts (regarding both tax increases and decreases). No willingness to compromise is expressed; the opponents are completely discredited as those who "keep stepping on the same rake."
4 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Data on the cooperation style is lacking, as the speech focuses solely on attacking the opposition and defending its own previous policies. The speaker refers positively to the former coalition (which was dissolved on March 10) and its achievements, but expresses no openness to compromise regarding the current political landscape.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is maintained at the national level (the competitiveness of the Estonian economy and growth in corporate revenue) and the international level (the EU minimum excise duty rates). Mention is made of ending border trade as a result of lowering the diesel excise duty, which indicates the impact on trade in border areas, but specific local regions are not highlighted.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic views strongly advocate for tax cuts, based on the belief that lowering excise duties and VAT will boost the competitiveness and revenues of Estonian businesses. It is stressed that these tax reductions are self-financing through increased consumption and higher VAT collection, citing the diesel excise cut as an example, which successfully brought consumption back into Estonia. The speaker sharply criticizes tax hikes, asserting that they fail to generate the promised budgetary revenue and are detrimental to the economy.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
There is no broader discussion of social issues, except in the context of lowering the alcohol excise tax. The speaker refutes the claims made by so-called health specialists that lowering the excise tax would increase alcohol consumption, calling that prediction false.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on supporting Draft Bill 594 SE, which proposes amendments to the Alcohol, Tobacco, Fuel, and Electricity Excise Duty Act and the Value-Added Tax Act. The bill's objective is to reduce excise duties to the minimum level mandated by the EU. The speaker stressed the urgent necessity of legalizing these tax reductions, citing prior success in lowering the diesel excise duty and the preparation of the plan to reduce VAT on foodstuffs.
4 Speeches Analyzed