Session Profile: Martin Helme
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
2024-05-09
Political Position
The political position centers on strong opposition to the e-voting system, which is regarded as the source of the crisis of legitimacy in Estonian democracy. The speaker asserts that the uncontrolled system has created an "illegitimate, deceitful, and fraudulently installed totalitarian regime," given that nearly 40% of the population does not trust the fairness of the elections. The stance is strongly value-driven and demands the abandonment of e-elections before they lead the country to ruin.
12 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates profound expertise in the technical and legal aspects of e-elections, focusing on the conflict between verifiability and secrecy. He employs specific terminology such as IP address, voter application, program code, insider threat, and multi-eye control, explaining the limited scope of auditing. Furthermore, he is well-versed in the shortcomings of Supreme Court decisions and international examples (Finland, Sweden) that have rejected e-voting.
12 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is highly combative, sharp, and penetrating, stressing the erosion of the foundation of democracy and the crisis of legitimacy. The speaker employs numerous rhetorical questions ("Are elections that cannot be controlled or observed truly elections?") and powerful metaphors (e.g., Ouroboros, the spreading of poison) to underscore the system's inherent dishonesty. While procedural arguments are offered, they are delivered in emotionally charged language, accusing the opposition of deliberate deception and outright lying.
12 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker was highly active during the May 9th plenary session, submitting repeated questions and delivering a lengthy presentation on the topic of e-elections. He/She referenced earlier actions, such as demanding data from the State Information System Authority (RIA) and the Electoral Service, and is planning further steps. Future plans include appealing to the President if the Riigikogu does not support making an appeal to the Venice Commission.
12 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The opposition is directed at the institutions managing the e-voting system (the Election Service, RIA) and the political parties supporting the system, who are referred to as "liberal-globalists." The criticism is intense and systemic, focusing on procedural opacity and the refusal to provide verifiable data. Opponents are accused of offering explanations that are "obtuse and often transparently false," and compromise is ruled out because the system is considered fundamentally flawed.
12 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker is collaborating with Center Party MPs, initiating a Riigikogu draft resolution to appeal to the Venice Commission for an international assessment of electoral integrity. However, the overall communication style remains confrontational, urging coalition MPs to support the critics' initiatives to dispel doubts regarding the system's integrity.
12 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is clearly on national and international topics, analyzing the state of Estonian democracy and comparing it with other countries (Finland, Sweden, Russia, Venezuela). There is no specific regional or local focus, apart from a brief illustrative reference to mobile masts in Harju County used to describe anomalies in e-voting.
12 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Not enough data
12 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Not enough data
12 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is directed towards ending e-elections and reforming the electoral system to restore verifiability and uniformity. The speaker is the initiator of a draft bill which seeks to appeal to the Venice Commission to obtain an international assessment of the integrity of Estonian elections. He/She also criticizes the Supreme Court for failing to provide a final assessment regarding the uniformity and constitutionality of the elections.
12 Speeches Analyzed