Session Profile: Helir-Valdor Seeder
The 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Information Hour
2025-10-08
Political Position
The political position is strongly opposed to the government's fiscal and tax policies, focusing specifically on the 2026 state budget, which is viewed as fueling inflation and increasing the national debt burden. The speaker sharply criticizes the use of borrowed money to fulfill a "stupid election promise," and dismisses new taxes planned for the future (RES/motor fuel tax) as a deception. The stance is outcome-oriented, warning of economic catastrophe and the impoverishment of the populace.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in the field of fiscal and tax policy, using specific figures (e.g., 330 million euros from RES, 0.5 billion euros as the cost of the income tax amendment) and referencing technical systems (ETS2, RES). The critique regarding the economic impact of new taxes (car tax, fuel tax) is particularly thorough.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is highly combative, critical, and accusatory, employing strong metaphors (e.g., "crippled car tax," "hurdy-gurdy"). The speaker emphasizes logical argumentation based on economic damage but also uses emotional language, accusing the responses of demagoguery and the minister of unpreparedness. He repeatedly asks the Prime Minister not to use worn-out answers ("about the tax hump and teachers' salaries").
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is active during the Riigikogu Information Hour, posing questions to the Prime Minister immediately following significant debates (the state budget debate began yesterday, and the car tax debate started on Monday). He/She refers to previous occasions when questions were raised on the same topic, demonstrating consistent participation.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary opponent is the government and the prime minister, who are criticized for demagoguery, incompetence, and irresponsible fiscal policy. Criticism is particularly sharp regarding the finance minister, who was allegedly unprepared to answer substantive questions during the car tax debate. The criticism is aimed both at the policy itself and the quality of the government’s performance.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker takes a strongly adversarial stance toward the government and demands an admission of errors, not a compromise. He/She refers to a plan to introduce an amendment to repeal the car tax, which points to confrontational legislative action rather than cooperation.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is purely on the national level, addressing the state budget, tax policy, and their impact on the Estonian economy and the population as a whole.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic views are strongly fiscally conservative: they oppose tax increases that fuel inflation and undermine the competitiveness of businesses. The speaker criticizes increasing the debt burden to cover current expenditures and warns against scaring away investors. He strongly opposes the car tax and the upcoming fuel tax (RES).
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Social issues have been addressed within the context of economic livelihood, highlighting the negative impact of the government's tax policy on people falling into poverty and the increasing difficulty of making ends meet.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The main legislative focus is opposing the 2026 state budget and abolishing the car tax. The speaker emphasizes their readiness to propose an amendment for the repeal of the car tax and promises its cancellation should their political force come to power.
2 Speeches Analyzed