Session Profile: Helmen Kütt
15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, press briefing
2025-06-04
Political Position
The speaker supports the supplementary budget related to national defense but places strong emphasis on social security, describing the need to raise the subsistence level as a dire necessity. This political stance is value-based, linking the well-being of the populace (for Social Democrats, livelihood *is* security) with the country's defense capabilities. The speaker also criticizes the government for failing to fund the critical SKAIS system, which poses both a safety and a security risk.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in social policy and the financing of critical IT infrastructure. He/She references specific data, such as a price increase of nearly one-fifth, and historical precedents (the raising of the subsistence level in the 2022 supplementary budget). Separate emphasis is placed on the 25–30 million euros required to fix the SKAIS system, the absence of which would jeopardize 800,000 beneficiaries.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is formal, yet insistent and critical, particularly concerning the Prime Minister's positions, where he promises to "take a different view." Both logical arguments (historical precedent, inflation) and emotional appeals are used, describing the situation as a "crying necessity" and warning against the poverty trap. He employs sharp irony, stating that the system cannot be fixed "on air and love."
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker actively participates in the Riigikogu Q&A session, focusing on the supplementary budget discussion and posing pointed questions to the government. He/She refers to direct communication with families in need to emphasize the severity of social problems. His/Her approach involves drafting proposals for legislative amendments.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The opposition is aimed squarely at the government, particularly the Reform Party, criticizing their political decision to exclude both the raising of the subsistence level and the necessary resources for improving the SKAIS system from the supplementary budget. The criticism is sharp and policy-based, warning that the delay is "very critical" and will push a large number of people into serious difficulty. It also calls the government's priorities into question, given the lack of funding for SKAIS, which currently poses a security risk.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker is attempting to find ideological common ground with the Reform Party regarding needs-based benefits, suggesting that this stance is acceptable to them from a philosophical standpoint. At the same time, however, he is acting oppositionally, announcing his intention to submit an amendment that counters the government's draft bill. The direct contradiction of the Prime Minister’s opinion clearly demonstrates a lack of cooperation.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is entirely at the national level, addressing nationwide social policy (the subsistence minimum), national security, and the critical social security IT infrastructure (SKAIS). There are no references to specific regional or local issues.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The speaker advocates for an immediate and targeted increase in social spending (raising the subsistence level) to alleviate the impact of inflation. He/She stresses the importance of needs-based benefits and considers social security crucial enough that funding should be secured through a supplementary budget, despite the Finance Minister’s alleged lack of resources.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The primary social issue is poverty prevention and raising the subsistence level, which is deemed essential for guaranteeing people's ability to cope and their overall resilience. It is emphasized that any delay will result in a significant number of people falling into the poverty trap. Social well-being is framed as a security issue.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The primary legislative focus is amending the 2025 supplementary budget. The speaker is taking the role of the initiator, planning to propose an amendment to raise the subsistence level. Another significant legislative priority is ensuring funding for the critical social insurance IT system (SKAIS) to mitigate security risks.
2 Speeches Analyzed