Agenda Profile: Martin Helme
Debate on the matter of significant national importance: "E-elections – a threat to democracy."
2024-05-09
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
Political Position
The political focus is strongly directed against the e-voting system, which is treated as the root cause of a crisis in democracy and the legitimacy of state power. The speaker urgently calls for the termination of e-voting, arguing that it is uncontrollable and generates widespread distrust among nearly half the population. This position is value-based, emphasizing the need to restore a healthy skepticism towards authority and ensure the verifiability of elections.
12 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates a deep level of knowledge regarding the technical and procedural aspects of e-elections, focusing on the analysis of verifiability, the scope of auditing, and the risks associated with internal attacks (or insider threats). Specific terminology is used (e.g., IP address, voter application, log), and the system is compared to both banking and paper balloting, highlighting the inherent conflict between anonymity and verifiability.
12 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is sharply critical, insistent, and confrontational, employing numerous rhetorical questions and powerful metaphors (e.g., Ouroboros, the poison spreading further). The speaker relies on both logical arguments (such as the lack of data and procedural errors) and emotional warnings concerning the potential loss of state legitimacy and impending ruin. The arguments put forth by the opponents are deemed "a deliberate and cynical attempt to mislead the public."
12 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is actively participating in the Riigikogu debate, focusing on one critical issue. They also referenced earlier actions, such as requesting data from the Electoral Service and RIA (the Information System Authority). Furthermore, there is mention of the intention to appeal to the President should the bill fail in Parliament, alongside a previous visit to Kadriorg.
12 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary adversaries are the institutions administering the e-voting system (the Electoral Service, RIA) and the "liberal-globalist parties" and coalition members who benefit from the system. The criticism is intense and systematic, accusing the opposing side of concealing data and being unable to refute suspicions of massive election fraud. Compromise is ruled out because, in the speaker’s estimation, the system is “rotten to the core.”
12 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker is cooperative with opposition partners, mentioning the joint initiation of a bill with Center Party MPs to appeal to the Venice Commission. However, the attitude towards supporters of the coalition and the system is uncompromising, calling on them to vote in favor of the bill to prove that the criticism is unfounded.
12 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is national (the crisis of Estonian democracy and legitimacy) and international, drawing comparisons with the e-voting experiences of Finland, Sweden, Russia, and Venezuela. There is no regional focus, although e-votes cast from under a mobile mast in Harju County are mentioned as an illustrative anomaly.
12 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Insufficient data
12 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Insufficient data.
12 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The primary legislative goal is to end e-voting and change the system, but this has become bogged down by the classic "chicken or the egg" dilemma. Specifically, they mention initiating a draft resolution in the Riigikogu (Parliament) to appeal to the Venice Commission in order to get an international assessment of the integrity of the elections.
12 Speeches Analyzed