By Plenary Sessions: Helir-Valdor Seeder
Total Sessions: 97
Fully Profiled: 97
2025-10-15
The 15th Riigikogu, VI Session, Plenary Sitting
The regional focus is directed towards the representation of local governments in the Electoral College, emphasizing the necessity of restoring a proportion that would favor municipalities with smaller populations. He/She acknowledges the political sensitivity involved in finding a balance between Tallinn, as a large municipality, and the smaller local governments.
2025-10-08
The 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
The focus is purely on national fiscal policy and general tax increases (car tax, VAT, income tax) that affect the entire country. There is no specific regional focus.
2025-10-08
The 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Information Hour
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.
2025-10-06
The 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
A strong regional focus, emphasizing the specific characteristics of rural areas and scattered settlements. It supports increased reliance on private vehicles in rural regions, considering this the cheapest way for the state to address transportation costs, as opposed to maintaining an expensive public transport network in sparsely populated areas.
2025-09-24
15th Estonian Parliament, 6th sitting, press briefing
The focus is clearly at the national level (the competitiveness of the Estonian economy, the Estonian budget) and the international level (EU climate policy and relations between member states). There is a lack of data concerning specific local or regional topics.
2025-09-17
15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary sitting.
The focus is clearly at the national level (the security and internal safety of the Estonian state) and the international geopolitical level, specifically addressing the influence of the Moscow Patriarchate and Russia's aggression. Local or regional topics are absent.
2025-09-17
Fifteenth Riigikogu, sixth sitting, press briefing.
The focus is on national education policy, but the issues are illustrated using specific regional examples. Narva is mentioned in the context of political opposition, and Viljandi serves as an example of the complexity involved in organizing education for Ukrainian refugees, emphasizing the role and heavy workload placed on local governments (LGs).
2025-09-10
15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary session
The focus is solely on national policy areas, such as the management of the Health Insurance Fund and the family benefits system.
2025-09-10
15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, press briefing
Insufficient data.
2025-09-09
15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary session.
Emphasis is placed on the significant role of credit unions in Estonian regional and rural life—a role that has been noteworthy despite existing challenges. The Leie Credit Union is specifically highlighted as a concrete example of a trustworthy and practical local institution.
2025-09-04
15th Riigikogu, extraordinary session of the Riigikogu
The main focus is on national and parliamentary topics. The regional focus manifests in criticism directed at the regional minister's plans to create artificial regions (oblasts), while defending county and local government structures against centralized power. Specific local projects or communities are not emphasized, except in the context of the regional minister's inquiry.
2025-06-16
XV Riigikogu, V Session, Plenary Sitting
The focus is on national policies (the waste management system) and international issues (the import of waste across Europe, the import of prisoners). Local government administration is mentioned only within a general critical context, without providing any specific regional emphasis.
2025-06-11
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
The regional focus is highlighted by the example of the city of Viljandi, where the actions of the coalition partners regarding kindergarten fees are being criticized. Attention is also directed towards Tartu concerning the allocation of gambling tax revenue for the construction of a basketball arena, with demands for the decision to be finalized. The overarching focus, however, remains on national laws and their impact on the local level.
2025-06-04
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The speaker's focus is clearly on the national and international level, concentrating on Estonia's security concerning its eastern neighbor and national supervisory bodies (ERJK, Riigikontroll). There are no references to specific local or regional issues in Estonia.
2025-06-02
15th Riigikogu, Fifth Session, Plenary Session
The focus is strictly national, addressing the administrative sphere of the Ministry of Finance, as well as the general energy policy and budget management of the Estonian state.
2025-05-21
Fifteenth Riigikogu, Fifth Session, Plenary Session.
The focus is on national political decisions (tax hikes, conventions), but when criticizing economic policy, they use neighboring countries (Finland and Latvia) as a benchmark, questioning whether those countries have adopted the same experimental tax increase policy.
2025-05-19
15th Riigikogu, Fifth Session, Plenary Session.
The focus is clearly on issues concerning rural life and regional policy, including the competitiveness of agricultural producers and the concentration of land use in Estonia. Emphasis is placed on the need to coordinate European Union and domestic rural support measures and to streamline the administrative domain of the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture.
2025-05-14
15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, plenary session
Insufficient data.
2025-05-14
15th Riigikogu, fifth sitting, information briefing.
The focus is entirely on national administration, the budget, and political accountability. Regional issues are absent.
2025-05-06
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
No data available.
2025-04-23
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
Not enough data
2025-04-16
15th Estonian Parliament, 5th session, plenary session
None. The focus is on national energy policy issues and general economic topics (the price of milk).
2025-04-14
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
The focus is on national energy policy and energy security, highlighting the importance of locally produced energy over imports. Specific regions are not mentioned, but the emphasis is placed on domestic infrastructure (onshore wind farms).
2025-04-09
15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, information briefing
A strong regional focus, particularly on cross-border projects and issues concerning Ida-Virumaa. Viljandimaa and Mulgi municipality are specifically mentioned in connection with wind farms near the Latvian border, highlighting the lack of involvement from local governments and residents. Additionally, the focus is on the Ida-Virumaa Vocational Education Centre and the threat of Russian-language instruction becoming fee-based.
2025-04-08
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
The regional focus is directed at sparsely populated areas and their transportation issues, particularly where the state has failed to develop a satisfactory public transport network. Specifically, the situation surrounding the Saaremaa demand-responsive transport experiment is highlighted.
2025-03-27
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
Insufficient data
2025-03-26
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The focus is clearly on the national and international level, addressing Estonia's constitutional authority and security against the backdrop of Russian aggression. The practices of other countries (Latvia, Germany, France, Romania) and internationally unrecognized territories (South Ossetia, Abkhazia, Palestine) are also mentioned. The local level is only discussed within the context of forming political power, including in the Estonian capital.
2025-03-19
15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, press briefing.
The focus is on national security and defense issues, with particular attention paid to the equipment and readiness of territorial defense units. In the context of internal security, the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences is mentioned.
2025-03-12
The 15th Riigikogu, fifth sitting, information briefing.
The regional focus addresses the reform of the state's administrative structure, specifically by opposing the proposed division of Estonia into four administrative regions (oblasts) and the reorganization of county public transport centers. This underscores the opposition to a centralized and bureaucratic model of regional governance.
2025-03-11
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The focus is national in scope, covering Estonia’s general situation and the government’s actions at the state level, with reference to the development strategy until 2035.
2025-02-25
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The focus is on national security and international relations, particularly concerning aggressor states (Russia, North Korea) and allied nations (NATO, Switzerland, Japan). Local government elections are central to the discussion, exemplified by the formation of political power in the Estonian capital and other municipalities.
2025-02-17
15th Estonian Parliament, 5th session, plenary session
The focus is strongly regional, protecting rural areas and dispersed settlements from the government's centralizing policy. Viljandi County (schools, cross-border wind farm in Mulgi municipality) and Põlva County (the departure of state institutions) are repeatedly brought up as both examples and points of concern. The speaker considers 15 counties to be the optimal unit for regional administration and opposes the creation of new, mystical regions.
2025-02-13
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary meeting
The legislative focus is aimed at local governments, but it is stressed that the proposed amendments regarding the formation of electoral districts currently affect only the city of Tallinn within Estonia.
2025-02-12
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The focus is primarily on national strategic issues (energy, national defense, the constitution). The regional focus becomes apparent in the criticism of the car tax, highlighting its unfairness toward people living in sparsely populated rural areas who have no public transport alternative. The lack of the benefit provided by Tallinn's free public transport in rural areas is also mentioned.
2025-02-12
15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, information briefing
The speaker addresses cross-border regional issues, highlighting the impact on Mulgi municipality of wind farms planned by Latvia near the Estonian border (for example, the Lode-Penuja wind farm located just 300 meters away). He emphasizes the necessity of national coordination and support for local governments regarding development activities that have a cross-border impact.
2025-01-29
15th Estonian Parliament, 5th sitting, information briefing
The focus is at the national level, addressing the government's administrative structure and the operations of a nationwide telecommunications service provider.
2025-01-22
15th Estonian Parliament, 5th session, plenary session.
Insufficient data
2025-01-20
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
The focus is national (the survival of the Estonian people), but it is emphasized that the government's tax policy, especially the car tax, hits hardest those families with children who live regionally and are dependent on transport. The car tax is considered the most unfair tax affecting rural areas.
2024-12-18
15th Estonian Parliament, 4th sitting, press briefing
The focus is heavily on the county level, in opposition to the new artificial and illogical regional areas (referred to as "oblasts"). He stresses the importance of the decision-making authority held by county development centers and local governments, and calls for the finalization of regional sports infrastructure development (specifically, football halls in every county).
2024-12-17
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
The focus is exclusively on the national level, addressing the constitutionality of the state budget and the activities of state oversight bodies. There is no regional focus.
2024-12-12
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
Not enough data
2024-12-11
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
The focus is on national issues, primarily the state budget and supporting public transportation, which is a nationwide topic. There is no specific regional or local focus.
2024-12-11
Fifteenth Riigikogu, Fourth session, press briefing.
The strong regional focus centers on the financing and autonomy of local municipalities. Criticism is being leveled against the regional minister for forming confusing regions and creating new positions that act as extensions of the central government. Furthermore, the necessity of resolving how local governments cover education expenses is emphasized.
2024-12-10
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
There is no regional focus; attention is centered on national legislation, tax policy, and the interests of those preserving cultural heritage (the owners of historic vehicles) nationwide.
2024-12-05
15th Estonian Parliament, 4th session, plenary session.
The focus is on national legislation and its impact on the security of the Republic of Estonia. It mentions the international context concerning loyalty and dual citizenship (specifically citizens of aggressor states, such as Russia and Belarus). There is no local or regional focus.
2024-12-04
15th Estonian Parliament, 4th session, plenary sitting
The regional focus is limited, highlighting the example of the city of Viljandi in the context of the failure to take over the adult gymnasium, to illustrate the ministry's inaction. The remaining topics (taxation, national defense, education law) are national.
2024-12-03
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting
No data available
2024-11-20
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting
The regional focus is tied to security issues, highlighting the role of Narva and Ida-Virumaa as examples of integration problems and aspirations for autonomy. Latvian examples (Daugavpils) are used for comparison to refute the interior minister's threats regarding the abolition of the regions.
2024-11-20
15th Estonian Parliament, 4th sitting, press briefing.
The regional focus is aimed at Ida-Virumaa and Narva, highlighting the historical example of the autonomy demands that arose after suffrage was granted in 1992. These regional repercussions are being used as an argument to support the necessity of changing the current policy.
2024-11-18
Fifteenth Riigikogu, Fourth Session, Plenary Session
The focus is on the national level, particularly the broader impact of tax policy on Estonian taxpayers, businesses, and homeowners. The Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture is mentioned in relation to efforts to increase the revenue base of local municipalities, but there is no specific regional emphasis.
2024-11-13
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session.
The focus is mainly on national budgetary policy and central government spending. The regional dimension becomes apparent when addressing the financing of local authorities and the issue of land tax, noting that the increase in land tax will result in a revenue deficit for local governments. The question of subsidizing public transport is also raised, although specific regions are not mentioned.
2024-11-13
15th Riigikogu, 4th sitting, information briefing
The focus is strongly directed towards Estonia's domestic regional governance and administrative partitioning, emphasizing the importance of counties and local identity. To illustrate the illogical nature of this, the artificial composition of the Central Estonia region (Rapla, Lääne-Viru, Järva, and Viljandi) is highlighted.
2024-10-23
15th Riigikogu, 4th sitting, plenary session
The focus is primarily on national security and the procedural role of the Riigikogu. A regional focus briefly emerges with the raising of the issue concerning the deliberation of local government budgets and participatory budgets.
2024-10-23
15th Riigikogu, 4th sitting, information briefing
The focus is on national-level legislation governing the right to vote in local government council elections. There is no regional specificity; the topic lies at the intersection of international security and domestic law.
2024-10-16
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting
There is insufficient information.
2024-10-16
15th Estonian Parliament, 4th sitting, press briefing
The focus is primarily on the national level (internal security, migration quotas, education) and the international context (citizens of the aggressor state, the Patriarch of Moscow). Regionally, the only mention is the Nevsky Cathedral in Tallinn, which is cited as a symbol of an unresolved security issue serving the Moscow Patriarchate.
2024-10-15
15th Estonian Parliament, 4th session, plenary session
Not enough data
2024-10-14
15th Estonian Parliament, 4th session, plenary sitting
The focus is on issues of governance and social policy at the national level. Regionally, this involves the reorganization of the Land and Spatial Planning Agency and its connection to local municipalities and the use of agricultural land, but specific regions or local projects are not emphasized.
2024-10-10
Fifteenth Riigikogu, Fourth sitting, plenary session.
There is too little data.
2024-09-25
15th Riigikogu, 4th sitting, plenary session
A strong regional focus, emphasizing the need for equal and stable state funding for regional cultural institutions (Setos, Võros, Mulgi people, Saaremaa islanders). It criticizes the unfair organization of local government revenue bases and warns against the creation of artificial regions. In the context of rural areas, it views supporting motorization (car usage) as a realistic solution, rather than pursuing unrealistic public transport reforms.
2024-09-25
15th Riigikogu, 4th sitting, press briefing
The focus is at the national level, addressing the security of the Republic of Estonia and amendments to the electoral law concerning local governments and presidential elections. The international context between third countries (Russia, Belarus) and allies (USA, Japan) is also mentioned.
2024-09-18
15th Estonian Parliament, 4th sitting, plenary session
Insufficient data.
2024-09-16
The 15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary sitting.
The regional focus is national (Estonia as a nation-state) and specifically directed towards the capital, Tallinn, citing 2021 census data regarding the minority status of people whose mother tongue is Estonian. International issues are addressed within the context of migration and the transfer of prisoners to Estonia.
2024-09-11
Fifteenth Riigikogu, fourth session, plenary session
The focus is heavily on the national level (Estonia's defense capability) and on international cooperation (NATO allies). Local or regional issues are absent.
2024-09-09
15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
The focus is on national education policy and its implementation (specifically, the joint entrance exams for state high schools). There are no references to specific regional problems or local communities.
2024-07-29
15th Riigikogu, Riigikogu extraordinary session.
The regional focus is on the status of Petserimaa, treating it as a significant national and historical border issue related to the 1944 occupation.
2024-07-29
The 15th Riigikogu, extraordinary session of the Riigikogu.
Not enough data
2024-07-29
15th Riigikogu, extraordinary session of the Riigikogu
The regional focus is extremely strong, centering on the protection of residents in rural and sparsely populated areas. It is stressed that the car tax and cuts to the public transport network hit rural people hardest—those for whom a car is absolutely indispensable. The centralization of public services in cities is also criticized. This policy is being labeled "perverse regional policy."
2024-07-22
15th Riigikogu, Riigikogu's extraordinary session.
The regional focus is clearly on the Baltic states (Latvia and Lithuania), which are used as a point of comparison to emphasize Estonia's failures in tax policy and security development. Estonia is considered the weakest country in the Baltic region in terms of security.
2024-07-15
15th Riigikogu, Extraordinary session of the Riigikogu
The focus is entirely at the national level, concentrating on the operational procedures of the Riigikogu and matters of parliamentary governance.
2024-06-14
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, additional plenary session
Insufficient data
2024-06-12
15th Estonian Parliament, 3rd session, plenary session.
The regional focus is directed at the impact on regional policy, criticizing the draft legislation as "perverse regional policy." It is argued that the bill increases the disparity in local government revenues by favoring larger centers where land prices are higher, rather than leveling out regional differences.
2024-06-05
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary sitting
The speaker focuses heavily on the negative impact of the car tax on people living in sparsely populated rural areas. He emphasizes that in these regions, a car is an absolute necessity for getting by (to get to work, the doctor, or school), and taxing it amounts to an unreasonable punishment.
2024-06-05
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, information briefing
The speaker mentions the regional policy impact of the car tax bill, but this remains a brief reference. The general focus is directed toward the national budget situation, social policy, and the demographic crisis.
2024-06-04
15th Riigikogu, third session, plenary sitting
The focus is exclusively on national issues, such as the state budget situation, pension policy, and the demographic crisis in Estonia. There is no mention of specific regional or local problems.
2024-05-29
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
The regional focus is clearly directed toward rural areas and regional policy. The speaker emphasizes that the draft bill increases disparities in the revenue base between areas surrounding larger cities (e.g., Tallinn) and more distant regions, calling this a "perverse regional policy."
2024-05-28
15th Riigikogu, third session, plenary session
It focuses exclusively on the national level and macroeconomic issues, such as state budget revenues, the deficit, and national stability. It mentions plans to increase the revenue base of local governments but criticizes them as confusing and unsustainable solutions. There is no regional or local focus present.
2024-05-15
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
The speaker highlights Mulgimaa, stressing the region’s historical ties to deportations and denunciation, in order to illustrate the potential negative impact of the draft bill. Mulgimaa is cited as the area in Estonia that suffered the most during the deportations.
2024-05-13
15th Estonian Parliament, 3rd session, plenary session
The focus is on national security, but emphasis is placed on its direct impact on the formation of political power in local municipalities. Specifically, Tallinn, Narva, Kohtla-Järve, Paide, and Türi are mentioned to illustrate the effect of voting rights across all local governments.
2024-05-08
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session.
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.
2024-05-08
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, information briefing
The focus is on national internal security and international relations (Russia, Belarus, NATO, EU). There are no references to specific local regions or constituencies.
2024-05-07
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
The regional focus is presented as an example to illustrate a national problem, specifically highlighting the disproportionality in the electoral districts of Harju and Rapla counties (16 mandates) versus Lääne-Viru county (5 mandates), which impacts voter representation. However, the primary focus remains on the overall integrity of the national election law.
2024-05-02
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
The focus is clearly national and international, addressing the resilience of the Estonian economy and the well-being of its citizens, as well as Russia's influence activities in Europe. The politician refers to the practice and subsequent abolition of the sugar tax in other countries. There is no regional or local focus.
2024-04-17
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary sitting
The focus is predominantly national and international, addressing Estonian election laws, the principle of proportionality (districts with five and 16 mandates), and international requirements for good electoral practice. It is emphasized that malicious voter applications may be uploaded outside Estonia, which presents an additional security risk. The regional focus is limited to one factual clarification concerning the Soontaga state farm (sovhoz).
2024-04-08
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary sitting
The focus is primarily national (the demographic crisis, the future of the Estonian nation-state). The regional aspect concerns large families who live outside major cities and for whom owning a car is an everyday necessity, linking this to the issue of the car tax.
2024-04-03
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, information briefing
The focus is on national security and legislation, but the topic is directly linked to local government elections. Tallinn city negotiations and efforts to influence the composition of the Tallinn City Council are mentioned, demonstrating the connection between national security and local politics.
2024-04-02
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary sitting
Insufficient data.
2024-03-19
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
The focus is at the national level, addressing education funding, teachers' salaries, and the school network more broadly, without mentioning any specific regional emphasis.
2024-03-11
15th Estonian Parliament, 3rd session, plenary session
Insufficient data.
2024-03-06
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, press briefing
The focus is entirely at the national level, addressing tax policy, energy, and Estonian security as a whole. There are no references to specific local or regional projects.
2024-03-05
15th Estonian Parliament, 3rd sitting, plenary session
There is too little data.
2024-02-21
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, information briefing
The focus is on national security and the international context, citing Russia and Belarus as sources of threat and using other European countries for comparison. Local municipalities (Tallinn, Tartu, Narva) are mentioned only to illustrate the issue of voting rights.
2024-02-14
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
A strong regional focus, highlighting the negative impact of the car tax on sparsely populated areas and exacerbating regional inequality. It is pointed out that in rural areas, a car is an essential means of transportation, whereas in the city (Tallinn), it is possible to manage without one. The speaker invites the minister to visit their farm to demonstrate the condition of the rural roads and the necessity of owning a more powerful vehicle.
2024-02-14
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, information briefing
The regional focus is on Ida-Virumaa, where integration problems have emerged due to the large number of immigrants and refugees who have moved there. This highlights the social impact of immigration on the local environment.
2024-02-07
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, information briefing
The speaker is focusing on regional issues, stressing that the proposed car tax will exacerbate inequality for those living outside major urban centers. They highlight the crucial role of the car as a necessary utility vehicle in areas lacking adequate public transport infrastructure, particularly when contrasted with Tallinn’s free public transportation system.
2024-02-05
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary sitting
The regional focus concerns Ida-Virumaa, which is cited as an example of failed integration and used to demonstrate the state’s limited capacity to integrate immigrants. Nevertheless, the overall emphasis remains on national security and migration issues.
2024-01-24
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, information briefing
The focus is mainly national (budget, education reform, security, public transport). A regional focus emerges when discussing support for the preservation of rural schools within the context of the education reform.