It cannot be ruled out Helme really meant boosting Estonia’s independent defensive capacity to be better prepared for holding out until allies get here. Trying to get his message across, Helme simply overdid it, which is what his attempts to change the focus and soften his message yesterday seem to suggest. The minister’s attempt to try and blame the media for misunderstanding – albeit later exposed as a lie – fits into this pattern.
Postimees talked to people in government circles who believe Helme trying to oversell the message is the likeliest explanation. “Many of the government’s scandals have been the result of Helme phrasing something unsuccessfully. Trying to find strong words, come across forceful but ending up missing the mark,” it is said.
But there are also those who believe Helme’s NATO utterance was an attempt to draw attention away from EKRE scandals. It is likely that the national conservatives will have to let go Minister of Rural Affairs Mart Järvik after the state secretary presents PM Ratas with a report of a committee formed to look into scandals revolving around the minister.
Nothing will change
We could ask how would questioning NATO help EKRE. But very pragmatically speaking, it is clear that Helme’s words will in no way shake the organization and our allies know that Estonia’s position regarding NATO remains unchanged. Several NATO countries also have or have had ministers who love high-sounding slogans. Which is why we can hope Mart Helme’s words will also be seen in this context.
Therefore, aside from damage to the reputation of Estonia, Ratas’ government, Center Party and the prime minister himself, saying a few choice words about NATO seems like a safe move. A lot of people will have to smooth over the utterance, but nothing will change in the grand scheme of things. At the same time, the public is now preoccupied with NATO and not Mart Järvik.