Draft law amending the Church and Religious Communities Act (570 SE) – First Reading
Session: 15th Estonian Parliament, 5th session, plenary sitting
Date: 2025-02-19 17:18
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 159
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 3h 24m
AI Summaries: 159/159 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu discussed the draft law amending the law on churches and congregations, initiated by the Republic's Government, as the fifth item on the agenda, for its first reading 570. Minister of the Interior Lauri Läänemets (SDE) presented the draft, emphasizing that its main objective is to ensure Estonia's security and freedom of religion, excluding hostile external influence stemming from the aggressive policy of the Moscow Patriarchate (MP) and Patriarch Kirill. The Minister referred to statements by Kirill supporting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a "holy war." Läänemets stressed that the state has given the MPEÕK and Pühtitsa Monastery a year to sever ties with Moscow, but without success. The draft provides a legal basis to prohibit religious associations from being guided by a person or association located in a foreign country if it threatens Estonia's security or supports military aggression.
The opposition (Center Party, EKRE) sharply criticized the draft, accusing the Minister of violating freedom of religion, disregarding the principles of the rule of law, and dividing society. Critics (Vooglaid, Belobrovtsev) claimed that the law threatens to forcibly dissolve churches, which is a "mafia-like approach," and that there is no real security threat in Estonia. There were also warnings that the draft could damage relations with the future US administration, which considers freedom of religion a core value. Läänemets responded that this is the most reasonable and peaceful way to resolve the security threat and that the dissolution of churches is not the objective. The governing committee (legal committee) supported concluding the first reading of the draft. The proposals of the Center Party and EKRE factions to reject the draft were voted down (11 in favor, 41 against).
Decisions Made 2
The proposal to reject draft law 570, amending the Church and Religious Communities Act, on its first reading by the Conservative People's Party’s and Centre Party’s factions did not find support (11 in favor, 41 against).
Bill 570 has concluded its first reading. The deadline for submitting amendments is March 6, 2024, at 5:15 PM.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Riigikogu has reached the fifth item on the agenda, and the government-initiated amendment bill to the Churches and Congregations Act, No. 570, is being discussed in its first reading, with Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets as the presenter.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
The Minister of the Interior presents the bill to amend the Churches and Congregations Act, aiming to limit the influence of external forces and the Moscow Patriarchate, protect freedom of religion, and ensure that religious associations operating in Estonia do not threaten state security or the constitutional order.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman, Toomas Kivimägi, thanks and notes that the participants have many questions, and invites Aleksandr Tšaplõgin to answer.
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He accuses the Estonian Social Democratic Party of destroying Orthodox churches and recalls Bolshevik-era deeds and the grandfathers' struggle in the War of Independence, and asks whether the party knows the differences between the Moscow Patriarchate and the Constantinople Patriarchate and whether they themselves believe in God.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Lauri Läänemets said that the Estonian government does not intend to ban churches or strengthen subordination to the Moscow Patriarchate, and that the main thing is that Kirill would not decide the Estonian people's faith matters, highlighting the historical background of the occupation and a good-faith path to resolving security concerns.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi invited Anti Haugas to take the floor.
Anti Haugas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Based on the Ukrainian example, the speaker discusses that in Ukraine a new legal entity should be created by law in order to achieve autonomy for Russian Orthodox believers from Kirill's leadership and the Moscow Patriarchate's influence, and whether such a legal path would be convenient for them, although Kirill claims that no one leaves the Moscow Patriarchate's subordination without him?
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
As an introduction: Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets said that Estonia has chosen a peaceful and humane path to resolve the security issue and will enact a law by which religious organizations will no longer have to seek anyone's opinion or the patriarch's consent; churches will remain open and freedom of religion will endure, and if necessary a court will decide.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi asks Kalle Grünthali to come onto the stage.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal accuses his opponents of essentially implementing the same policy of closing churches as Stalin, emphasizes Article 22 of the Constitution and the presumption of innocence before a court ruling, and asks whether their actions will ultimately have consequences.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
In short, Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets confirmed that there are no plans to shut down churches, and if someone speaks differently, it is not written in the bill, and the whole process must be carried out sensibly and calmly, and he knows nothing about munapiiksust and he is not being beeped at.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman, Toomas Kivimägi, invites Vladimir Arhipov and asks him to speak.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He criticizes accusations against religious people, recalls the Soviet-era repressions, and asks why the government attacks believers and their prayers.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Lauri Läänemets emphasized that Orthodox Christians living in Estonia must not be associated with Patriarch Kirill, and the problem is in Russia and in its church-political form, not in the Estonian people, and according to the church's charter the leader is in the Kremlin and this leadership should be removed from there, in order to protect the Estonian state and community.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi invites Vadim Belobrovtsev to speak.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Belobrovtsev accused the minister of demagogy, claiming that the draft bill splits Estonian society and violates freedom of religion and thus the Constitution, and added that discussions about Kirill and Russia are only for sale, because the real problem lies there, which has also been condemned by the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
In the speech, gratitude is expressed.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He asks two questions: whether the situation has now changed, and whether you are lying now or you lied then.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
The briefing emphasizes that Russia uses the networks of the Orthodox Church to achieve political objectives, and Estonia must, for security reasons, reduce its influence, protecting the state and its citizens, while at the same time ensuring freedom of religion and the continued operation of the two Estonian Orthodox churches.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi invited Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvarti to speak.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart emphasizes that the state is moving in a frightening direction and laws are being changed in the name of suitable aims, but there exists valid law that allows a registration filing and intervention against organizations if they harm public order or people's rights, and the Russian Orthodox Church in Estonia does not break the law.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speaker simply expresses gratitude.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
All ties with Patriarch Kirill have been removed from their charter, and now you are changing the law to artificially create illegal activities.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanks Anastasia.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
This really threatens the rule of law.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets said that the Estonian Orthodox Church's charter has not been amended, and the church is still under the Moscow Patriarch's leadership; therefore, claims of changes and dependence do not reflect reality.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller invited Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski to the podium.
Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He asks whether the problem lies in the fact that the charter has not been amended as agreed, and whether there is also a concern about the name, referring to what was heard in the media that the proposed new name did not fit, and he would like an explanation about this.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
The main message is that the form of the charter's name may create the impression that the church is subordinate to the Russian Orthodox Church, and if the requirement for ratification in the Kremlin is removed and Estonia's sovereignty is emphasized, security problems will decrease.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller requests that Aleksandr Tšaplõgin take the floor to speak.
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin accuses the minister of not answering his earlier concrete question, and now asks for a concrete example of how the Kremlin or Kirill has used the Pühtitsa Monastery for its own interests.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets warns that Russia uses influence and threat tactics in Estonia and may compel close people to act, and stresses that one should not be naive about this, and that the Security Police and the Foreign Intelligence Service will explain the situation, and travel to Russia is not recommended.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-chairman Arvo Aller asks Lauri Hussarit to take the floor.
Lauri Hussar
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Lauri Hussar asks how you respond to the claim that Kirill has justified Russia's aggression and crimes as a private individual, and whether he could be a patriarch bearing the views of Russkiy Mir one day and, on another day, speak of forgiveness and love.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Lauri Läänemets said that Patriarch Kirill is the head of the Russian Orthodox Church and has been involved in shaping its entire set of positions, and that there are departments in the Moscow Patriarchate engaged in intelligence and influence operations, which are coordinated at the very highest level with Putin, and the Estonian government knows this.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-chairman Arvo Aller asks Kalev Stoicescu to speak.
Kalev Stoicescu
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalev Stoicescu claims that Estonia and the democratic world see the Moscow Patriarchate as a political instrument of the Putin regime and are weighing desynchronization, asking Lauri whether the life of Orthodox Christians would change in any way if they were no longer under Moscow's jurisdiction, or would it evoke fear of the Russkiy Mir.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
This is a call to action, because your time has come.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets said that there are currently two Orthodox churches in Estonia, and a rare opportunity is being offered that the Apostolic Orthodox Church could operate independently on the basis of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, with the exception of submission to the Moscow Patriarchate, in order to ensure religious freedom and Estonia's independence and security.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
This is simply a request to invite Toomas Uibo to perform.
Toomas Uibo
Profiling Eesti 200 fraktsioonAI Summary
Toomas Uibo quotes a Postimees article from 1996 about the opening of Russian archives and the recruitment of Orthodox Church clergy, and asks whether, in light of the new law, the forthcoming information operations threaten us, as we saw a few days ago outside the Riigikogu.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Minister Läänemets highlights the impact of Russia's soft influence activities on Estonian society, where perceptions are shaped through narratives and information operations (with examples such as the Pühtitsa Monastery letter and the coverage of the war in Ukraine), and states that although the influences are visible and could be done better in the future, there is no plan to shut down the church.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman asks Vadim Belobrovtsev to come forward.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev claims that the debate is unfairly restricted – the question is only one minute, but the answers may last indefinitely – and he accuses the respondents of intolerance to criticism and of pressure to follow the charter, asking for a concrete answer about the situation of the Estonian Church, using as examples the representatives of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Estonian Orthodox Church and the Pühtitsa Monastery, while avoiding reference to Moldova or other countries.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
They emphasize that now is your time and you must act.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
In Vadim Belobrovtsev's speech, a question was raised as to whether the Nevsky Cathedral has violated laws.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
In order for the Estonian Orthodox parishes to be able to decide for themselves and to reduce the influence associated with the Moscow Patriarchate and the Kremlin, it is necessary to amend the charter, because it is a security issue.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
That was a short plea to invite Vladimir Arhipov onto the stage.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vladimir Arhipov notes that the real security threat is precisely what is being done now — changing the charter and making religious communities vulnerable — and this leaves many people and their families vulnerable in a turbulent world.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Your time has come.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
They emphasize that there must be unity in Estonia, and directly ask why people divide.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
He answered the question with a yes.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Lauri Läänemets claims that Patriarch Kirill, as the highest leader of the church, has a noticeable influence in Estonia, and his messages on the topics of independence, Russia, and Ukraine affect both the faithful and the community, creating opposition and discomfort, and as an example he points to Saint John's School, which is under Kirill.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller invites Aleksei Jevgrafovit to speak.
Aleksei Jevgrafov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
From the report it becomes clear that the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate is open to solutions that conform to Estonian law and canon law; its representatives have not supported warfare in Ukraine nor violated the laws of Estonia, and they are invited to meet again to find a solution suitable for both sides.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets confirmed that the ministry will certainly meet, offer solutions, and provide feedback on the registry's charter, but stressed that the church has not made all the efforts and that the draft bill partly stems from the church's plan to drag out the process.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller asks Andre Hanimägi to speak.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
They ask the minister to explain how the bill has reached the Estonian Parliament, who has been involved, what solutions have been proposed, how extensively the ministry has listened to stakeholders, and how the Council of Churches' proposals have been addressed.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
The presentation emphasizes how Estonia has carried out limited and security-focused work regarding church and monastery activities, such as Yevgeny's residence permit and the election-influencing prayer plan, and stresses open dialogue with the Council of Churches, Urmas Viilma's important role, and the coordination of legislative amendments.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller invites Kert Kingo to speak.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo asks the Minister of the Interior whether the biggest problem is the VaPo program's security risk and dealing with the existence of the church and the nunnery, or whether the real concerns are street violence, the rise in drug use and crime, and the loss of a sense of security.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets confirmed that work is being done on both traffic accidents and drug-related deaths, and that several packages of measures and strategies are being developed that will be submitted to the government, and at the same time the focus is on the security threat from Russia and on reducing its impact.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller invites Aleksei Jevgrafovi to speak.
Aleksei Jevgrafov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The speaker claims that the government and the coalition are pushing through a controversial law and emphasizes the need for a robust impact assessment, asking why the explanatory memorandum lacks an impact assessment and what the actual consequences of the law are.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets said that, if necessary, he is ready to make significant changes to the law and to clarify the explanatory memorandum, and the influence of Russia on Estonia's security must be explained, because not everyone may understand it, including Putin's and Kirill's plans.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
This is merely a summons: Kalle Grünthal is asked to step forward.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal brought him back to the real world and said that Kirill-related acts correspond to the characteristics of § 1511 of the Penal Code, but so far no criminal case has been initiated against this person, and the decision must be made only by the court.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller invites you to submit a question.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal claims that there is no right to disregard the concept laid down in the constitution, and asks whether you will object.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Lauri Läänemets said that the Estonian government must follow the parliament's position regarding Patriarch Kirill and acknowledges the international sanctions against him, but he will not go out of his way to defend him.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller says that a bilateral debate can be held in the corridor, but we will let the minister finish.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets said that he respects people's beliefs about Patriarch Kirill, and stressed that neither the government nor the court should say whether it is right or wrong, but voters themselves may draw their own conclusions.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller asks Mart Helmet to speak.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme claims that the presented bill is a clear contrast to the rhetoric of protecting Christians by the new American administration and creates a security risk by provoking Russia, because it attacks their core value, namely the Orthodox Church.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller invites the audience to ask questions.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The politician hints that there may be military actions, and says that you are the Republic of Estonia's biggest security threat, not that unfortunate nun monastery there.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller expresses his thanks.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
The presentation addressed Estonia's security threats in connection with Russian influence, including the influence of Russian citizens' voting rights and the church on the international stage, and stressed the importance of defending Ukraine's independence, and stated that protecting Christians does not mean protecting Russia, and that the role of the Russian Orthodox Church in the American and international context should be clarified.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice Chairman Arvo Aller invited Toomas Uibo to speak.
Toomas Uibo
Profiling Eesti 200 fraktsioonAI Summary
Toomas Uibo points to the links between the Moscow Orthodox Church and the KGB, highlights the latest news from Hungary where sanctions on Kirill have been blocked, and asks how Estonia will act going forward and whether not imposing sanctions on Kirill undermines peace efforts.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Lauri Läänemets emphasized that this law is necessary for continuing sanctions and for border control, to avoid a veto by Hungary or another country and the material support of dangerous organizations from other states, and although the European Union tries to maintain a consensus, I cannot agree with Hungary's positions.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller asks Mart Helme to take the floor.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme said that we must stop a childish and superficial view of great-power relations and maintain a balance between the United States and Russia, avoiding both damaging relations with the United States and provoking trouble with Russia.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
This speech contained only one question.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The speech discusses the establishment of open channels toward Washington and the communication between Washington and Moscow.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chair, Arvo Aller, thanks and invites questions.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
They emphasize that there is a critical moment in positioning Estonia in the Moscow–Washington dialogue in such a way that Estonia's interests are aligned with American interests, but they accuse others of undermining this objective.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller thanks the listeners.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He asks the listeners to understand this.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Läänemets claims that Russia does not see Estonia as an independent state, and therefore it is not possible to have a truly equal dialogue with Russia, and such one-sided dialogues must be avoided in order to protect Estonia's independence and security.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The deputy chair Arvo Aller presents a procedural question to the session chair, Kert Kingo.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo asks whether the chair of the meeting shares the same understanding as he does, that the Minister of the Interior describes the coalition's work and dialogue as pushing through everything with a greater and more powerful force, and that they only talk about themselves.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
From Arvo Alleri's speech it is evident that the minister expressed personal thoughts at the podium, apparently in response to Mart Helme's question, and finally Varro Vooglaid is invited onto the stage.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vooglaid accuses his opponents of lying and of not understanding irony, and states that although they talk about defending religious freedom, their actions are a real tyranny, because they force the Pühtitsa Monastery to change its canonical affiliations or to discontinue its activity.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The speech urged its listeners to take action, saying that now is their time.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vooglaid accuses the opposition of claiming to guarantee Estonia's security, but they cannot name real threats, and thereby create a very serious security risk.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller thanks the listeners.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
In conclusion, all this talk is completely absurd.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Lauri Läänemets says that we have very different understandings of security, and his vision does not threaten Estonia's security; on the contrary, it offers a solution: a change to the law that would end subordination to the Moscow Patriarchate and allow the church to continue peacefully practicing Orthodoxy, while emphasizing that Orthodoxy is Christianity that must focus on love, not conquest or violence.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The speech is a short plea to invite Varro Vooglaid onto the stage.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid claims that their biggest problem is a lack of understanding of geopolitics – in the context of a U.S. coup and the war in Ukraine the situation has changed, and the draft bill does not solve the real security threat, but provokes conflict by forcing the closure of monasteries and churches, and draws criticism in Russian and U.S. media for restricting freedom of religion.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The speech focuses solely on your question.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
They warn that your actions may irritate Russians and deprive us of American support, and ask why such a thing is being done, calling it a hostile act.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller thanks.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets emphasizes that Estonia must not yield to Russia or raise the white flag, and the most important decisions remain in the hands of the leaders of congregations and the church; at the same time he states that he does not bow to any state leader, and dialogue is difficult if others do not listen.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller asks Juku-Kalle Raid to perform.
Juku-Kalle Raid
Profiling Eesti 200 fraktsioonAI Summary
Raid outlines in his speech EKRE's views as a case deemed schizophrenic, quotes Ivan Makarov's column on the influence of the Moscow Patriarchate and the absurdity of a church subordinated to a foreign country, and asks whether he is still fully in agreement with EKRE's star columnist.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets said that Estonia must make its own decisions on security issues and defend its identity and freedom, despite the influence of foreign countries and the opinions existing among the parties.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
At the beginning of the speech, Juku-Kalle Raid was invited to perform.
Juku-Kalle Raid
Profiling Eesti 200 fraktsioonAI Summary
Juku-Kalle Raid recalls how the Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church became a church again in 1996 after the occupation, describes meetings with Patriarch Bartholomew and Kirill, and recalls the Russian side's opposition and the telegram from the 1940s, and states that nothing has changed in the Russian church since then—the Stalinist sun is simply Putinist, and Kirill still appears from behind a cloud.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller apologized and asked to move the debate from the back benches to the corridor, because the audible voice reaches the front; he thanked and asked the minister to deal with it.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets noted that the Moscow Patriarchate's influence on Estonian Orthodoxy is real, and although the state and the Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church have adhered to agreements, the Moscow Patriarchate Church has not fulfilled its promises, and, according to the head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, Estonian Orthodoxy should be protected in such a way that Patriarch Kirill would have no influence over them.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller invites Lauri Laats to take the floor.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats emphasizes the government's impact on everyday life, citing an example from Maaleht's article about how pensioners get by, and the ministry's failure to publish the baseline data for its energy plans, as well as the impact of 26-billion decisions on our lives and the future.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets confirmed that reducing the price of food and VAT is necessary, and the draft should be before the cabinet tomorrow. He emphasized the transparency of the calculations and said that he would not join the opposition, but would continue with his colleagues to raise questions if things do not work.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-chairman Arvo Aller asks Igor Taro to come onto the stage.
Igor Taro
AI Summary
He emphasizes that the draft bill deals with security, not religious issues, and asks what the message should be to those who attempt to undermine Estonia's democracy and the constitutional order under the cover of various religious organizations or foundations.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Lauri Läänemets emphasized that although there are different understandings of security issues, we have a large common ground — everyone should be free to devote themselves to religion, and churches, congregations and monasteries must function, and the closing of churches is not the goal.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller asks Igor Taro to come forward.
Igor Taro
AI Summary
Igor Taro stressed that the flag must be blue-black-white, and raised questions about the opacity of funding for the Family and Tradition Protection Organization and other foundations, and their possible links to oligarch Malofejev, which could influence Estonian politics.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Minister of the Interior Lauri Läänemets emphasized that to preserve democracy, one must not take restrictive laws from Russia or Georgia as a model; it is necessary to maintain an open exchange of opinions, be critical, and consciously address foreign influences so that people can form their own positions in elections.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-chair Arvo Aller wraps up the questions, proceeds with the leading committee's presentation, and asks the chair of the Legal Committee, Andre Hanimägi, to introduce the discussion at the podium.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Andre Hanimägi described the discussion in the first Legal Committee meeting on the draft bill, whose aim is to limit reliance on foreign ties through religious associations and the influence of disinformation on congregations, not to close congregations, and with consideration given to the proposals of the Council of Churches and discussed within the constitutional framework and in accordance with the principles of the European Convention on Human Rights, emphasizing that the grounds for compulsory dissolution are not changed and that there has been cooperation in the process between the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate and the Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Arvo Aller invited Andrei Korobeiniku to answer questions.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Thank you for the very thorough presentation; at the end it was mentioned that two members of the commission were opposed, and it is asked whether he was among them and what advice the voters in Haabersti gave him.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Andre Hanimägi named by name who were for and who were against: those in favor were Anti Haugas, Madis Kallas, Jaanus Karilaid, Ando Kiviberg, Õnne Pillak, Valdo Randpere, Vilja Toomast and Andre Hanimägi; those against were Varro Vooglaid and Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-chairman Arvo Aller invited Andrei Korobeinik to take the floor.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Korobeinik poses two questions: have you consulted with voters in Haaberstis and what did they tell you about the vote in support of this draft bill?
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Andre Hanimägi noted that although dividing voters based on the confessional beliefs listed in voter registries is a delicate matter and it is difficult to account for the peculiarities of individual confessions, the draft bill does not prevent anyone from believing in any politician or in any belief, and every person has the right to believe whatever they wish.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
He thanks for the briefing on the discussion held in the Legal Committee, states that there are no further questions, opens negotiations with the factions, and, on behalf of the Estonian Centre Party faction, gives Vadim Belobrovtsev the floor, who asks for three more minutes.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Centre Party faction finds that the bill violates the principles of the separation of church and state and freedom of religion, lacks an impact assessment, and has been drafted mainly in the interests of one particular individual—the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate; and upon its enactment it could split the church and local communities and undermine the credibility of the judiciary, therefore it should be rejected at the first reading and steps should be taken to reach a compromise.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Ando Kiviberg speaks on behalf of the Eesti 200 faction.
Ando Kiviberg
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Ando Kiviberg said on behalf of Eesti 200 that the steps taken to secure the country's constitutional order are not illegal, and he condemned the influence of Russian intelligence services and the Moscow Patriarchate as a potential threat to religious freedom and independence, urging his colleagues to vote in favor of the law amendment.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The Deputy Chairman thanks and announces that, on behalf of the Reform Party faction, Mr. Anti Haugas requests the floor.
Anti Haugas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Haugas states on behalf of the Reform Party faction that we support the presented draft bill and that it will bring Estonian religious associations and their constitutions into conformity with Estonian law, reducing the Moscow Patriarchate’s Kirill influence, because he is trying to call for a holy war against Ukraine, and the example implemented in Ukraine shows that congregations can operate independently without subordination to Kirill.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanks and announces that the next speaker is colleague Andre Hanimägi, on behalf of the Social Democratic Party faction.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Andre Hanimägi said that he is deeply saddened by Patriarch Kirill's actions, and stressed that the draft bill is not aimed at the Orthodox Church, but applies to all religions, protects freedom of religion, and gives churches and congregations two months to adapt.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman, Lauri Hussar, asked for three minutes of extra time.
Andre Hanimägi
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Andre Hanimägi emphasizes the need to distinguish the Moscow Patriarchate from the Russian Orthodox Church, to understand what constitutes a religious organization, and what Patriarch Kirill does and why he does it in order to reassure people.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanks and, on behalf of the EKRE faction, requests that Varro Vooglaiu be invited to speak from the Riigikogu rostrum.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
They are asking for three extra minutes.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman Lauri Hussar asked for three minutes of extra time.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid argued that the draft bill violates freedom of religion and the principles of the rule of law, does not guarantee real security and is overly restrictive, therefore it should be rejected and existing legal remedies should be used.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
On behalf of the Isamaa faction, with thanks, we request our colleague Urmas Reinsalu to speak at the Riigikogu rostrum, and he asks for three more minutes.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu said that the influence of the Russian Federation toward Estonia persists, and that the influence of the Moscow Patriarchate in the Estonian space must be clearly limited, using existing laws, accusing the Minister of the Interior and the coalition of holding Estonia hostage, and calling for a quick and clear decision at the parliament's second reading on the issue of restricting voting rights in local elections.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Hussar said that Varro Vooglaid's name was not mentioned in the speech that was just delivered, and the rebuttal is intended only if he is mentioned, and he asked that the microphone be given to him for two minutes.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He emphasizes proper conduct and answering questions, and mentions SAPTK and the Foundation for the Protection of the Family and Tradition, and in the hall people are talking about those for whom it doesn’t matter what color the flag flying on the Pikk Hermann Tower is.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar said that he did not hear such a statement during the negotiations.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vooglaid confirms that Igor Taro spoke exactly that kind of talk, and it can be verified from the stenogram.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman, Lauri Hussar, explained that the rebuttal applies only to the positions voiced during the negotiations, and there is no opportunity provided within the framework of the previous questions and answers; however, if during the negotiations someone’s name or position is mentioned, the rebuttal is still possible, and he ended the requests to speak.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
The briefing confirmed that church and state must be separated, and the problem is Patriarch Kirill in Russia and his influence on the local religious community, not the congregations or the people, and the aim is to liberate religious freedom from Moscow's influence and to discuss Estonia's security and the core values of allies, including the United States.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar requests three more minutes.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Lauri Läänemets said that the middle way is that the new law gives the church and Orthodox believers freedom to decide for themselves, frees churches and Orthodox believers from Russia's influence, and keeps churches and congregations open so that people can devote themselves to their faith peacefully, and that religious freedom and security in Estonia would be balanced.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanks and asks for an assessment of the Centre Party's position in the negotiations, and asks Lauri Laatsi to present his rebuttal.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats emphasizes that although the agenda includes the restriction of freedom of religion and its connection to the authorities, such laws must not be adopted, because historical experience shows the churches’ dependence on the authorities, and we currently have more pressing concerns than this issue.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
In the minister's earlier speech, the EKRE faction's position was referenced, and Varro Vooglaid's rebuttal was requested.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid said that the core values of the new U.S. administration include standing up for security and religious freedom, and Estonia must not put them at odds—by threats of monastery persecution and forced closures we risk angering both the Americans and the Russians, which is idiocy.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, ended the negotiations and put to a vote the joint proposal of the two factions to reject the draft bill 570 at its first reading.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The proposal did not gain support: 11 voted for, 41 against, and there were no abstentions; the first reading of draft bill 570 has been completed, and the deadline for submitting amendments is 6 March at 17:15.