Session Profile: Martin Helme
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary sitting.
2024-03-13
Political Position
The political focus is on alleviating the rising cost of living, demanding that VAT on foodstuffs and medicines be lowered to 5% in order to assist low-income earners, large families, and pensioners. The representative sharply criticizes the government's fiscal policy, particularly the income tax reform and the expenditures associated with the green transition, accusing these measures of creating a hole in the state budget and exacerbating poverty. The stance is strongly oppositional and centered on emphasizing the failures of the government's actions.
16 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in tax policy and public finance, utilizing statistics on inflation, the growth of poverty, and the reduction of savings. He/She specializes in analyzing the impact of tax cuts (e.g., the positive effect of lowering excise duties on prices and state revenues) and trends in border trade. Expertise in the field of national defense and security (food security) is also highlighted.
16 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The speaking style is sharp, confrontational, and insistent, emphasizing the government's irresponsibility and criminality. The speaker employs both arguments rooted in economic logic and emotional appeals concerning poverty and social injustice. The speaker uses vivid and colloquial expressions and cites previous political experience to support their arguments.
16 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker's pattern of activity focuses on the work of the Riigikogu, referencing previous draft laws and committee reports. Previous activity involving meetings with market participants to explain the impact of tax cuts is mentioned. The challenging of parliamentary procedural issues (the 51-vote threshold) is emphasized.
16 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The confrontation is primarily aimed at the government led by the Reform Party, which is accused of poor management of state finances and making life harder for poorer people. The criticism is intense and focuses on political choices (the green transition, income tax reform) that favor the rich. The government is being called "tax hikers" and "neo-Marxists" who have "screwed up" the country's affairs.
16 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
In the current context, the style is confrontational, but the speaker is offering the government a "helping hand" with his proposal to improve the situation. Previously, successful cooperation with market participants (producers, distributors) was emphasized in order to realize the impact of tax cuts. There is no reference to current cross-party cooperation.
16 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is on national issues (Estonian inflation, poverty) and safeguarding domestic food production from a security perspective. The regional aspect manifests in the mention of intensifying border trade and its negative impact concerning Latvia, emphasizing the necessity of keeping money within Estonia.
16 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic views strongly advocate for tax cuts, particularly concerning consumption taxes, in order to mitigate inflation and support low-income earners. The speaker believes that these tax reductions will increase turnover and boost tax revenue from other sources. He criticizes the government's substantial debt burden, the billions in costs associated with the green transition, and the income tax system, which he argues favors high-wage earners.
16 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The main social issues involve combating poverty and social inequality, with a specific focus on large families and seniors who face high medication costs. Furthermore, the speaker raises the issue of the negative consequences of COVID-19 vaccines and excess mortality, demanding accountability and aid for those who have suffered.
16 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on the proposal made to the Government of the Republic to reduce the Value Added Tax (VAT) on foodstuffs and medicines to 5%. The speaker, who is the initiator of the proposal, is concentrating on criticizing the procedural obstacles (the 51-vote threshold) for processing decisions with a budgetary impact, considering it a trick by the coalition designed to avoid holding a vote.
16 Speeches Analyzed