Session Profile: Martin Helme
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary sitting.
2024-02-07
Political Position
The political stance is fiercely oppositional, focusing sharp criticism on the government's economic policy (tax hikes) and the functioning of the rule of law (selective investigation of corruption). The most prominent issues are the necessity of taxing banks' excess profits and the inaction of the prosecutor's office regarding corruption cases involving liberals. The entire framework is value-driven and results-oriented, accusing the government of malice and incompetence that serves the interests of foreign banks.
14 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in taxation and financial matters, utilizing specific figures (a billion-euro bank profit, a budget loss of 150 million euros) and clarifying the mechanisms behind income tax exemptions. Furthermore, the speaker is up-to-date on the details of high-profile corruption cases and the status of the Prosecutor's Office proceedings (Keit Pentus-Rosimannus, Liina Kersna, Slava Ukraini). The speaker is also capable of comparing the profitability of Estonian banks with those in other European and Nordic countries.
14 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is highly combative, aggressive, and accusatory, employing strong emotional language ("evil," "mad policy") and vivid metaphors ("the prosecution is fast asleep, snoring with its mouth wide open"). The speaker frequently poses rhetorical questions and directly attacks opponents, stressing moral condemnation and accusing them of "mafia-like" behavior. He/She utilizes sharp irony, referring to the social democrats as "jellyfish" and citing the Reform Party's motto: "The shame will pass, but the money stays."
14 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The action patterns are linked to the sittings of the Riigikogu, focusing on the timing of submitting draft legislation (May/June 2023) and the procedural delays caused by the Board. The speaker emphasizes that the protracted legislative process has caused 150 million euros in damage to the state budget. He refers to the active participation of his faction's members in delivering humanitarian aid to Ukraine through the NGO "Ukraina Eest."
14 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponents are the Reform Party, Eesti 200, and the Social Democrats, who are sharply criticized on the grounds of both policy (economic recession, tax hikes) and morality (covering up corruption, breaking promises). The Prosecutor's Office and KAPO (the Internal Security Service) are accused of selective justice, which serves the interests of the "nomenklatura of the liberal regime." The attacks are intense and uncompromisingly condemnatory, accusing the opponents of "serving someone else" at the expense of their own people.
14 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The style of cooperation is confrontational, and there is no indication of a willingness to compromise or engage in cross-party collaboration. He/She refers to cooperation with members of his/her faction (Anti and Evelin Poolamets) regarding the activities of the NGO "Ukraina Eest" (For Ukraine). The speaker sharply criticizes the Riigikogu Board for violating the law during the processing of draft legislation.
14 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is primarily national (the Estonian economy, tax policy, the rule of law) and international (aiding Ukraine and the repatriation of profits by Swedish banks). He emphasizes that bank profits are being taken directly from the pockets of Estonian people and transferred to Swedish and Danish bank owners. Specific local or regional topics are absent.
14 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
He/She strongly supports taxing banks' excess profits (around 150 million euros) as a way to fill the state budget without damaging the economy. He/She sharply opposes the government’s tax hikes (VAT, excises, car tax), arguing that they are deepening the recession and reducing the purchasing power of the Estonian people. He/She believes that banks are earning windfall profits—money found on the ground, so to speak—without having to do any work for it themselves.
14 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The text focuses on the moral dimension of corruption and questions regarding the sense of justice, particularly in connection with the Slava Ukraini scandal and Eesti 200's refusal to provide a moral assessment. It negatively mentions the previous elimination of income tax benefits related to children and spouses, and briefly refers to the coalition's actions in passing the bill concerning the "desecration of marriage."
14 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The main legislative priorities include the bill on taxing bank profits and the removal of the NGO Slava Ukraini from the income tax exemption list, replacing it with the NGO Ukraina Eest. He/She is acting as the proponent and sharply criticizes the Riigikogu Board for violating the Rules of Procedure Act during the processing of these bills.
14 Speeches Analyzed