Agenda Profile: Martin Helme
Draft law amending the Value Added Tax Act (596 SE) – First Reading
2025-05-22
Fifteenth Riigikogu, Fifth Session, Plenary Session.
Political Position
The political stance centers on robust opposition to the Reform Party's tax hikes, specifically the increase of the value-added tax (VAT) to 24%. The speaker forcefully backs the draft legislation which aims to initially roll the VAT back down to 20%, stressing the positive impact of tax reductions on economic growth and purchasing power. This position is framed as a "truly right-wing" and conservative approach to public finance, which stands in direct contrast to the government's actions.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates profound expertise in tax policy (Value Added Tax, excise duties) and economic impacts, referencing specific prior tax reductions (alcohol and diesel excise) and their outcomes. They use arguments concerning competition, the reduction of the shadow economy, and tax revenue over-collection, also citing Latvia's VAT reduction on foodstuffs as an example. They present detailed data on tax collection and price changes following the earlier excise cuts.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is highly combative, sarcastic, and blunt, employing strong emotional language and launching personal attacks aimed at the opponents' competence. The speaker balances detailed economic examples (such as the results of excise duty cuts) with ironic remarks directed at the Reform Party’s "geniuses" and "know-it-alls." To discredit the opposing side's arguments, he uses phrases like "Chinese language, rocket science" and "Freudian slip."
5 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is actively participating in the tax debate during the evening session of the Estonian Parliament (Riigikogu), requesting additional time to present their positions. Other activity patterns (meetings, travel) are not evident from the transcripts of the speeches.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponent is the Reform Party and the government, who are accused of deceit (regarding the temporary tax increases), damaging the economy, and incompetence. The criticism is intense and highly personalized, also targeting specific individuals such as Kaja Kallas and Annely Akkermann. The speaker claims that the opponents fail to grasp the positive impact of tax cuts, even if it were drawn out for them on a blackboard.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
There is a lack of willingness to cooperate; the speaker is focused on completely discrediting the politics and competence of the opposing side (the Reform Party), while emphasizing the correctness of their own previous decisions.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is on national tax policy and its impact on the Estonian economy, consumption, and tax revenue. Latvia is used as a point of comparison (specifically regarding VAT on foodstuffs and border trade) to illustrate the positive consequences of tax cuts.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Strongly supports tax cuts (VAT, excise duties), viewing them as the primary mechanism for boosting economic growth and improving tax collection, arguing that such cuts increase both purchasing power and wages. The text emphasizes the role of free market competition in driving down prices and explicitly rejects the government's stance that corporations are holding too much cash. Emotionally, VAT is considered one of the "nastiest taxes."
5 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
There is not enough data.
5 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The primary legislative focus is supporting Draft Act 596 SE, which amends the Value Added Tax Act and aims to reduce the VAT rate from 24% to 20%. The speaker emphasizes their previous successful legislative initiatives regarding the reduction of alcohol and diesel excise duties.
5 Speeches Analyzed