Session Profile: Martin Helme
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting.
2025-05-12
Political Position
The political position is strongly anti-government, focusing on alleged legal violations within the vital statistics office concerning name changes based on gender incongruence. The speaker fiercely opposes "trans ideology" and the "homo law," and opposition to the car tax is also mentioned. The position is clearly values-driven, emphasizing the supremacy of law and the defense of "normality" against "extremist ideologues."
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates detailed expertise regarding the Name Act, citing specific sections and points (Section 7, subsection 3, points 2 and 4). A clear distinction is drawn between changing a name and the procedure for changing gender (changing the personal identification code), utilizing legal terminology such as "discretionary power" and "gender dysphoria." This expertise is used to legally discredit the actions of the government.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is extremely combative, aggressive, and emotional, utilizing strong and colloquial language ("damn," "bullshit," "trans stuff/agenda"). Direct personal attacks are used (e.g., "you are simply a liar") along with accusations of hypocrisy. The speaker employs sarcasm (e.g., the desire to change names to get e-votes against Jürgen Ligi) and contrasts "normality" with "extremist ideology."
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
Insufficient data.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponents are the government, ministers, and officials of the vital statistics office, who are accused of violating the law and promoting extremist ideology. The criticism is both procedural (violating the law) and personal (lying, hypocrisy before the electorate). The attacks are intense, and there is no willingness to compromise, as the government’s actions are viewed as the dismantling of normalcy.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
There is not enough data.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The regional focus is on South Estonia (Põlva, Võru), which is being used as an example of the hypocrisy displayed by cabinet members in their own constituencies. The speaker emphasizes that these government officials present themselves there as "normal country folk," but then vote in Tallinn for ideological and unpopular laws.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
On the topic of economic perspectives, opposition to the car tax is mentioned, with it being referred to as an unpopular and abnormal measure that also affects the speaker's own interests ("I have a jeep myself, too").
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
In social issues, the speaker is extremely conservative, strongly opposing LGBTQ+ topics, referring to them as "homo law" and "trans ideology." Emphasis is placed on the need to preserve "normality" and adhere to strict rules regarding gender transition procedures. Gender dysphoria is ironically referred to as a "modern brain disease."
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus centers on the strict adherence to the Name Act and its alleged violation by civil registry officials. The speaker opposes the administrative practices sanctioned by the government, demanding the rigorous enforcement of the law and the restriction of official discretion.
2 Speeches Analyzed