Session Profile: Martin Helme
15th Estonian Parliament, 5th session, plenary session
2025-04-09
Political Position
The political position is strongly oppositional to the government’s tax policy, particularly regarding the car tax and other increases. The speaker emphasizes a value-based approach, defending the interests of the "common person" and rural residents against bankers and "green charlatans." The main priority is the implementation of an extraordinary bank tax to boost state budget revenues, contrasting sharply with the government’s current austerity measures. Political conduct, whether displayed while in government or in opposition, is labeled as unprincipled and hypocritical.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates knowledge of financial markets (including the Euribor forecast), major state budget projects (Rail Baltic, wind farms), and tax policy, citing specific figures in the billions. Special emphasis is placed on technical awareness regarding the impacts of wind energy, focusing specifically on low-frequency noise and the inadequacy of existing regulations. Furthermore, reference is made to international scientific studies (the Havana Syndrome) and the copying of legislation from Lithuania in the context of the bank tax.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is highly combative and emotional, frequently employing contempt and irony directed at opponents ("with absolute contempt," "simpletons"). There is a strong appeal to class conflict, contrasting ordinary people with bankers, and referencing Donald Trump's rhetoric. The speaker employs sharp accusations, such as "corrupt thinking" and "green charlatans," to underscore the moral correctness of their positions.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is highly active during the plenary sessions of the Riigikogu, repeatedly posing questions and making interventions regarding economic, tax, and environmental issues. This pattern demonstrates a focus on the debates surrounding current draft legislation (the bank tax, the car tax) and monitoring committee reports. The overall activity pattern is aimed at continuous and sharp criticism of the government's actions.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The oppositional stance is extremely intense and widespread, directed against the ruling coalition, bankers, and green energy developers. The criticism is both political (tax hikes, budget cuts) and personal/ethical, accusing opponents of lacking principles (Anti Allas) and engaging in corrupt thinking. The government is particularly strongly criticized for refusing to tax Swedish banks and for ignoring the health damage suffered by people due to wind turbines.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker demonstrates procedural courtesy by thanking Aivar Sõerd for the review of the committee's work, noting that the review was exceptionally good. The speaker also refers to earlier cooperation within their own parliamentary group concerning the repeated introduction of the bank tax bill. There is, however, no indication of a willingness to compromise with the governing coalition.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is placed on rural areas and protecting the interests of rural residents, while criticizing the closure of rural schools and cuts to road construction. It also highlights the impact of wind farm planning in nearly every municipality, which is forcing people to abandon their homes.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The economic views are aimed at protecting ordinary people and the middle class. The platform strongly supports an extraordinary bank tax and opposes all tax increases imposed by the government (car tax, income tax, VAT, and excises). It criticizes the government’s preferential treatment of Swedish banks and advocates for channeling revenues into the state budget at the expense of bank profits, citing Lithuania's success as an example. It favors an economic policy that protects working people from the interests of bankers.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
It focuses on cuts to social welfare, such as the elimination of family benefits and health insurance for mothers staying home with children, and the closure of rural schools. It sharply raises the public health issue concerning the low-frequency sound from wind turbines, accusing the state of abandoning the vulnerable and selectively believing in scientific research.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The main legislative priority is the introduction of an extraordinary bank tax, the draft bill for which has been repeatedly submitted and whose adoption is being demanded. Additionally, the focus is on repealing the government's tax increases (e.g., the car tax) and requiring adequate standards for regulating wind farm noise to protect the health of residents.
7 Speeches Analyzed