Session Profile: Martin Helme
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session
2024-01-10
Political Position
The political stance is strongly oppositional, criticizing the government's poor decisions and insincere presentations. He/She firmly opposes the expansion of the bank's operations into Africa, calling it a corruption-prone "casino of the Black Continent." Furthermore, lowering the VAT rate is a priority for him/her (proposing rates of 19.2% and 19.3%).
4 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in finance and international financial institutions (e.g., the constituency of the Board of Directors), citing their previous experience as Minister of Finance. They are well versed in legislative procedures and committee work, criticizing the disregard for the rules of procedure. They employ technical language when explaining how regional constituencies operate within international banking.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is sharply critical and combative, employing strong emotional and derogatory expressions (e.g., "complete nonsense," "Black Continent casino"). He presents his views directly and skeptically, combining political criticism with procedural complaints. He uses sarcasm when describing Estonia's role as an enthusiastic supporter of other countries' candidacies.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is active during the plenary session, having submitted several bills aimed at lowering the VAT and participating in the debate concerning international financing. He attends the caucus meetings, requesting a recess for this purpose. He also references his participation in committee work, although he criticizes its inefficiency.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main adversaries are the government and coalition MPs, who are being criticized for making poor decisions and failing to support opposition bills. The criticism targets both the political substance (the Africa plan) and the sincerity of the speakers ("insincere presentations"). He/She also criticizes the absence of EKRE members from the committee meeting, although this is more of a procedural point.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Cooperation is taking place within the faction, for which he is requesting a recess for consultation. He criticizes the inability of the government and the coalition to support the draft legislation he has submitted, noting that support cannot be found even when there are several good options available. There are no indications of a willingness to compromise with the government.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is strongly international, concentrating on European development projects in Africa and the influence of China and Russia in the region. Regionally, emphasis is placed on Estonia's position within the Baltic and Nordic market segment in international banking, noting that Estonia typically remains in Sweden's shadow.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
His economic views clearly favor tax cuts, proposing lowering the VAT to 19.2% and 19.3%, which he considers better than the current situation. He is extremely critical of the state allocating funds to international development projects, viewing this practice as corrupt and inefficient. He points to the corporate business interests of France and other Southern European countries in Africa.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Not enough data
4 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on initiating and supporting bills aimed at reducing the VAT rate, with various specific rates being proposed. Furthermore, he/she is a strong opponent of the draft legislation concerning the expansion of the international bank's operations, proposing that it be rejected during the first reading.
4 Speeches Analyzed