Session Profile: Helir-Valdor Seeder

The speaker's political position is strongly oppositional, focusing on criticizing the ruling coalition's procedural breaches (the "violent" bundling of amendments) and issues concerning internal security (the voting rights of third-country nationals). The restriction of voting rights is presented as an essential internal security measure during wartime, emphasizing its existential importance. Furthermore, there is strong opposition to the law enabling anonymous denunciation, which is framed ideologically as the "law destroying social morality."

The speaker demonstrates profound expertise in the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act and related procedural rules, challenging the interpretations offered by the Chairman of the Legal Affairs Committee concerning the bundling of amendments. The speaker possesses thorough knowledge of debates surrounding electoral and constitutional law (including the distinction between amending ordinary law versus the constitution, and Supreme Court jurisprudence), as well as European Union law (directives, sovereign decisions of member states). The presentation incorporates comparisons with the practices of Latvia and other European nations.

The speaker's style is predominantly combative and forceful, particularly when discussing procedural issues, utilizing strong expressions such as "completely wrong and misleading," "horribly misleading," and "violently and unlawfully." Appeals are made both to logic (by referencing laws and Supreme Court decisions) and to emotion and morality (by referencing painful historical moments associated with denunciation). The tone is formal yet critical, demanding comprehensive explanations and the termination of the proceedings.

The speaker is active during plenary sessions, repeatedly raising points of order and demanding intervention from the Chair. They participate in the introduction of bills (Bill 387) and reference previous activities (Question Time, participation in the Constitutional Committee, speaking during the previous convocation), which demonstrates consistent involvement in the legislative process.

Criticism is primarily directed at the governing coalition (Reform Party, Social Democrats, Estonia 200) and the chairman of the leading committee. The criticism is both procedural (unlawful bundling of amendments) and substantive (lack of political will regarding internal security issues, failed points of the coalition agreement). The speaker suspects the Reform Party of malicious, deliberate action concerning the issue of voting rights and deems the Minister of the Interior's criticism inadequate. They demand the termination or suspension of the bill's proceedings.

The speaker expressed openness to finding a broad-based consensus on internal security matters (voting rights), noting that several opposition parties are also prepared to back the Isamaa initiative. He referred to attempts to convene representatives of various factions to identify common ground. However, communication with the coalition remains highly confrontational due to procedural disputes.

The focus is primarily on the national level (Estonia’s internal security, legislation) and the international level (EU directives, aggressor states, bilateral agreements). Regionally, emphasis is placed on comparisons with Latvia and other European countries, and the Tallinn City Council elections are mentioned in the context of voting rights.

Data is unavailable. The discussions focus on procedural, security, and social/moral legislative bills. Tax law packages are mentioned merely as an example of the coalition's fast-track procedure, rather than to express an economic policy position.

The speaker strongly opposes the law allowing anonymous denunciation, considering it a destroyer of Estonian political culture and public morality. Restricting voting rights for citizens of third countries and stateless persons is viewed as a positive measure that motivates stateless individuals to apply for Estonian citizenship, learn the Estonian language, and integrate better.

The main legislative priorities are initiating and supporting Bill 387 (amendment of the Local Government Council Election Act, restricting the voting rights of third-country nationals). The second focus is opposition to the transposition of the EU Whistleblowers Directive (the "snitching law"). Furthermore, the speaker is strongly focused on demanding adherence to the Riigikogu Rules of Procedure and Internal Rules Act, opposing the bundling of opposition amendments.