«I have never been a fan of publicity»

Alar Laneman. Photo: Urmas Luik

Mart Helme left the office of Estonia’s internal affairs minister on Monday after calling into question the legitimacy of the U.S. electoral system. His replacement Alar Laneman (Conservative People’s Party – EKRE) aims to continue Helme’s initiatives of creating an internal security reserve force and boosting border guard capacity.

He has also promised to pay more attention to migration. The candidate for interior minister emphasizes that migration is inevitable these days and that the state should not be superficial in these matters. Laneman’s candidacy needs to be approved by the party council.

Serving as minister is a great way to introduce oneself to the general public. How would you characterize yourself?

You go straight to the most difficult question. I have never been a fan of being known. I have always sought to do my work outside of the public eye. While we are all vain to some extent, I really have aimed for the opposite all my life.

How would I introduce myself? A retired soldier interested in national defense who has always sought out opportunities to contribute correspondingly. It was the defense industry after I left the Defense Forces, followed by overseeing defense topics at EKRE. And this office is a logical continuance of that path – internal security. We have an integral national defense system.

When did EKRE chair, Minister of Finance Martin Helme put the idea to you?

He first tested the waters with me on Tuesday afternoon if memory serves.

What were your initial thoughts? Did you hesitate or did you agree immediately?

You know, I asked him what for? I had just settled in at the Riigikogu Constitutional Committee (Laneman was made chairman of the committee on October 20 – ed.) and it was starting to get interesting. But then we had a conversation about why it is necessary. I named a few people who I found to be better suited than myself. Anyway, that was our conversation.

I have tried not to seek office but to rise to challenges, especially the ones that interest me.

When did you say you would do it?

The final conversation and agreement took place last night. It was shaping up on Tuesday, but we took a few days to mull things over. Martin Helme and I spoke last night. I dare not give you the time in fear of getting it wrong. (Laughs.)

You have run in two elections (2017 local elections, 99 votes; 2019 Riigikogu elections, 673 votes). You joined EKRE in March of 2019. What was the motivation?

You know, it probably doesn’t sound good, but I was invited by friends. (Laughs.) I had been involved in the national defense sector for years, had some free time and did not like some of the things that were happening on the local level. Merger of rural municipalities where social services suffered etc. My friends told me to stop simply criticizing and get involved.

Once Riigikogu elections rolled around, my friends told me they expect me to run there too. If local people tell you that they need you, it is cowardly to turn them down. On the other hand, it also makes things easier as it is no longer just about your own vanity or ambition to go into politics.

Does it seem logical that a member of the party’s Riigikogu faction was chosen this time? Considering grumbling we’ve heard from EKRE over several ministerial positions going to little-known members from outside the parliament group in the past.

There is a logic to it, while the situation is always more complicated than it seems. It all depends on the nature of projects, the field and what kind of people the faction includes. It depends on the dynamic, whether the emphasis is on the legislative side or the executive side. That key person must also be suitable. The work determines what kind of person is needed. We often elect persons, but it’s the work that matters in the end, just as it is in the private sector.

Your predecessor Mart Helme has drawn a lot of public attention with his harsh words. What is your style? Do you plan to follow suit?

You are asking clever questions. (Laughs.) You know, we are all different people. I might let loose a few choice words when the hammer accidentally lands on my thumb. But we are different people, we react and express ourselves differently in various situations. By the way, Mart is quite different when there are not a lot of people around. But I have no program or style I plan to follow.

What is your opinion of what Mart and Martin Helme had to say about the U.S. presidential election on the Sunday Tre Raadio talk show, calling into question their integrity?

Every person needs to make their own judgments. I am not in those shoes, I’m not a perfect human being myself and I have no right to pass judgment on anyone. Every person is responsible for their own words and can explain them. We cause a lot of problems by rating and ranking others’ business. I’m sorry to disappoint you, but every person is in charge of what they say and do.

What do you think about the presidential election in America and speculations of voter fraud?

You know, I believe that I would have something to say about it if I were an American citizen. But I am an Estonian citizen and have other concerns right now.

What are your priorities as interior minister? In addition to what you’ve mentioned.

The subject matter of salaries [of police and rescue officers] is always a painful one and a staple for the internal affairs minister.

The other thing is migration. The treatment is very basic in Estonia. While we are talking about numbers, it is the creation of closed communities that worries me.

It surprised me to learn that we have allowed communities of people who have not become part of the Estonian society to form. People who do not speak the language that immediately begs the question of whether their children can receive a proper education.

We are kind of cheating by taking them in (because some say they are looking for a better life, which is understandable). Having a closed community where a young person growing up sees that the locals have better jobs, fancier cars and more chances in life, disappointment settles in. Why are we allowing this to happen? Are we being honest to them? If you invite people over, you invite them to sit down with you, not stand in the corner.

Do I understand you correctly in that we should focus on how to integrate as many people as possible instead of telling them not to come?

That’s the idea. I was told the word “integration” is bad, but they should become citizens, speak the language etc. They need to be able to get a good job or we will have cheated.

I’m not a fan of immigration, far from it, but the world is changing and migration happens. However, letting people into Estonia needs to be organized in a way that will see them become citizens. A person who speaks the language, works in Estonian collectives, earns a good salary and sends their children to an Estonian school. We have been a little superficial in this.