Session Profile: Helmen Kütt
15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary session
2025-09-08
Political Position
The political focus is heavily centered on improving regional policy and ensuring a high quality of life outside major cities, requiring the minister to take concrete steps during state budget negotiations. A critical social issue is being raised regarding the linking of palliative care accessibility and assisted suicide with broader healthcare funding problems. The speaker expresses concern over the closure of essential services and demands that the government adopt a results-based approach to its actions.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in the fields of regional policy and healthcare. Regarding healthcare, deficiencies in palliative care in Viljandi are highlighted, along with the length of specialist waiting lists (four months). In regional policy, reference is made to the availability of banking services in rural areas and the role of Coop Pank in offering alternatives for cash withdrawal.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is formal, respectfully addressing the presiding officer and the minister, yet simultaneously concerned and urgent. Emotional appeals are utilized, describing the immense pain and fear people feel regarding the closure of services. The speaker presents direct and concrete demands (e.g., "one-two-three steps"), balancing emotion with political pressure.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
All the speeches originate from the same plenary session date (08.09.2025), which points to active participation in the routine parliamentary questioning of ministers. Other patterns of activity, such as meetings or travel, are not evident from the speeches.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The opposition is aimed at the government's inaction or inefficiency regarding regional policy, expressing the fear that subsequent steps will lead to the closure of services in rural areas. The criticism is policy- and results-based, demanding that the minister present a clear outline of budget priorities.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
There is no direct cooperation with other political parties, but the speaker refers positively to the Social Democrats' previous regional policy initiatives ("Robin Hood," accessibility of extracurricular education). This indicates support for their political direction regarding regional development issues.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
There is a very strong regional focus, emphasizing service deficiencies outside major metropolitan areas (Tallinn, Tartu). The example of Viljandi is specifically highlighted in the context of palliative care, where people are forced to leave for another country. The objective is to ensure life and the accessibility of services throughout Estonia.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Support is being voiced during state budget negotiations for increasing funding for regional policy and healthcare in order to resolve accessibility issues. The role of Coop Bank in ensuring cash availability in rural areas is positively emphasized, which signals backing for financial solutions that take regional needs into account.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The central social theme is the accessibility of palliative care and hospices, emphasizing that the lack of these services causes significant pain and expense for people. The speaker expresses strong concern about the emergence of the discussion surrounding assisted suicide, especially if it is driven by healthcare funding problems.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The primary legislative focus is aimed at state budget negotiations to secure specific funding and an action plan, channeled through the Minister of Regional Affairs, for the viability of life outside urban areas. Specific draft legislation or amendments were not mentioned.
3 Speeches Analyzed