Session Profile: Martin Helme
Fifteenth Riigikogu, Fifth Session, Plenary Session.
2025-05-21
Political Position
The political position is fiercely opposed to the government's tax hikes, particularly the increase in VAT, which is viewed as impoverishing the population and effectively stifling the economy. He/She firmly advocates for tax cuts, arguing that this is the only path to achieving economic growth and improving tax collection, contrasting this position with the "deceitful" promises of the Reform Party. The policy is strongly value-driven, emphasizing conservative economic principles and the protection of purchasing power.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker exhibits profound expertise in tax policy and public finance, referencing the Finance Committee's reports on tax receipts and analyzing the underlying causes of tax collection (corporate and personal income tax). He draws upon historical precedents (the lowering of alcohol and diesel excise duties) and an analysis of Latvia's VAT reduction on food items to substantiate his arguments regarding the positive effects of tax cuts. He employs technical terminology such as the shadow economy, capitalization, and purchasing power.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is highly combative, sarcastic, and designed to humiliate opponents, labeling them "simpletons" and dismissing their knowledge as either "Chinese" (incomprehensible) or "rocket science." Strong emotional appeals are employed, stressing that the government has made people poorer, and drawing upon personal experiences and historical examples of their own faction's achievements. The speaker utilizes irony, referencing the Reform Party's "tax-free Friday" and admitting that VAT is "emotionally one of the most repulsive taxes" he deals with.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker actively participates in the evening debate of the plenary session dedicated to taxation, repeatedly posing questions and making remarks. He/She refers to his/her participation in the work of the Finance Committee and his/her knowledge of the tax revenue tables.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary opponent is the Reform Party and the government, who stand accused of lying (specifically, making temporary tax hikes permanent) and demonstrating incompetence in economic management. The criticism is intense and targets both political decisions (the tax hikes) and the denial of the opponents' expertise, referring to them derisively as "gurus" and "specialists" whose advice amounted to "talking nonsense." Furthermore, the former finance minister is specifically criticized, being labeled "Europe's best money laundering minister."
7 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker is showing support for their colleague Rene, pledging to definitely vote in favor of the bill. This indicates strong cooperation within the faction. There is absolutely no mention of cooperation or willingness to compromise with the governing parties, whom they consider incompetent.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is primarily on national economic policy and tax revenue in Estonia, highlighting the necessity of eliminating border trade through reductions in excise duties. The Latvian example (specifically, VAT on foodstuffs) is utilized within the context of the shadow economy and wage growth to bolster their arguments for tax cuts.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The economic views are strongly right-wing and conservative, stressing the positive impact of tax reductions (VAT, excise duties) on economic growth, competitiveness, and consumer purchasing power. He believes that tax cuts will increase tax revenue (income tax, social tax, VAT) by reducing the shadow economy and encouraging wage growth in the private sector. Government tax hikes are viewed as detrimental to the economy and corrosive to people's purchasing power.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
There is not enough data.
7 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The primary legislative focus is supporting the draft act on lowering the VAT rate, which he/she vows to certainly vote in favor of. He/She stresses that these tax reductions are essential to prevent the VAT rate from increasing to 24% and to improve the overall economic climate. He/She also points to previous successful legislative initiatives (the reduction of alcohol and diesel excise duties).
7 Speeches Analyzed