By Months: Martin Helme
Total Months: 11
Fully Profiled: 11
12.2024
20 Speeches
Key activities involve rejecting draft legislation and removing items from the agenda. There is strong opposition to the amendments to the Child Protection Act (427 SE), the draft financial transactions bill (EBRD/Ukraine), the security levy, and the bills regarding foreign missions of the defense forces. It demands the removal of the draft Subsoil Act (435) due to its unconstitutionality.
11.2024
26 Speeches
The subject is the main opponent of the 2025 state budget, proposing either its rejection or the termination of the proceedings. They initiated a draft resolution of the Riigikogu (Estonian Parliament) to investigate the circumstances surrounding the cessation of Nordica's operations. Furthermore, they are a strong adversary of the coalition's draft constitutional amendment, which would grant voting rights to non-citizens, while simultaneously supporting an alternative bill initiated by their own parliamentary group that would restrict voting rights exclusively to citizens.
10.2024
37 Speeches
The legislative focus centers on opposing government bills, especially concerning social issues (such as the pedophile topic and cuts to family benefits) and administrative organization (for example, the Keit Kasemets law). He/She urgently calls for increased transparency regarding the state budget and criticizes the government for its legal violations, emphasizing the need to strictly follow constitutional procedure.
09.2024
35 Speeches
It focuses on opposing government bills and raising procedural issues, particularly concerning the agenda and the interpretation of laws. It demands an amendment to Section 151¹ of the Penal Code (KarS) because it is being misused to violate constitutional rights (the Lihula example). It criticizes the application of the 51-vote requirement to draft legislation that does not necessitate a change in law, as well as the board's decisions that prioritize commentary over the actual sections of the law.
07.2024
13 Speeches
The main legislative focus is on opposing and rejecting the government's tax package, especially the car tax bill. A proposal was made to interrupt the bill's second reading. A motion of no confidence was initiated against Infrastructure Minister Vladimir Svet, emphasizing the question of trust and the minister's unsuitability for the office.
06.2024
9 Speeches
The speaker is the proposer of the draft bill to amend the Law on Holidays and Significant Dates. The purpose of this amendment is to include the second day of Easter (Easter Monday) and to provide compensation for national holidays that fall on a weekend. He/She is an active member of the opposition, having submitted a formal query regarding the effects of Ukraine's accession to the EU and criticizing the handling of tax legislation within the Finance Committee.
05.2024
38 Speeches
Focuses on improving parliamentary procedure (timely submission of materials, swift handling of no-confidence votes) and restoring the legitimacy of the electoral system. Is an active initiator of no-confidence motions and supports draft legislation that strengthens the position of the Estonian language. Demands the termination of e-voting and an appeal to the Venice Commission.
04.2024
48 Speeches
The legislative focus is on opposing government bills (especially the amendment of the e-elections law) and obstructing the proceedings. A crucial priority is protecting the Riigikogu's rules of procedure and the rights of MPs, accusing the board of violating the right to submit amendments and ending parliamentarism. He submitted a motion of no confidence against Minister of Education Kristina Kallas.
03.2024
65 Speeches
The main legislative priorities are the repeal of government policies (car tax, Cohabitation Act) and socio-economic relief (lowering VAT on food and medicines). It actively initiates draft resolutions (DR) and interpellations, focusing on government accountability and national defense issues. It supports the creation of a system of local referendums to ensure the legitimacy of political decisions.
02.2024
31 Speeches
The main legislative priorities include the bank tax bill (the delay of which cost the state 150 million euros), the draft decision on organizing the e-voting referendum, and the bill on removing the income tax exemption for the NGO Slava Ukraini. An inquiry was submitted regarding the budgetary, agricultural, and demographic impacts of Ukraine's accession to the EU. Significant emphasis is placed on challenging procedural violations in the handling of government bills (such as the car tax).
01.2024
48 Speeches
The main legislative priorities include lowering taxes (VAT to 19.2% or 19.3%, lowering income tax, and lowering the gasoline excise duty). He/She is an active opponent of government bills (EBRD, mandatory renovation, car tax) and demands improvements in the quality of legislation (impact assessments).