Draft law amending the Churches and Religious Communities Act (570 SE) - Third Reading
Session: 15th Estonian Parliament, 5th session, plenary session
Date: 2025-04-09 19:44
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 20
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 44m
AI Summaries: 20/20 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
For the third reading, the draft law amending the Law on Churches and Congregations, initiated by the Republic's Government, was considered 570. The core idea was to strengthen the independence of Estonian churches and reduce the political influence of foreign countries, focusing particularly on severing the canonical ties between the Moscow Patriarchate and Estonian churches. At the same time, questions were raised regarding the limits of religious freedom, and discussion arose as to whether and to what extent national security concerns may permit state intervention in religious organizations. The debate reflected a tight political knot before a remarkable decision – whether the priority lies in greater security or greater protection of religious freedom.
Decisions Made 1
Bill 570 has been adopted as a law. Sixty members of the Riigikogu voted in favor, 13 voted against, and 0 abstained.
Most Active Speaker
Most active speaker: Ando Kiviberg (Estonia 200 faction). Position: other (centre-traffic light).
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Parliament has reached the third item on the agenda, and negotiations are opening regarding the government-initiated bill No. 570 to amend the Church and Congregations Act for its third reading, as represented by Varro Vooglaid of the EKRE faction.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid described the draft as deeply shameful and manipulative, and claimed that its security- and rule-of-law implications would increase real threats, threatening churches with forced dissolution.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman, Toomas Kivimägi, apologizes for the confusion and asks if you would like some extra time.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid asks for three minutes' time.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi asked to give three more minutes.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid claims that an interference restricting religious freedom in Estonia is in conflict with the constitution and is neither appropriate, necessary nor proportionate, and emphasizes strengthening the protection of freedom of religion and freedom of conscience.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanks and asks Jaanus Karilaidi to speak on behalf of and with the authority of the Isamaa faction.
Jaanus Karilaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaanus Karilaid emphasizes that the bill restores the administrative separation of the Orthodox Church operating in Estonia from the Moscow Patriarchate, ensuring freedom of religion, state security and historical independence, and invites colleagues to vote in favor of it.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanks the audience and announces that Lauri Läänemets represents the Social Democratic Party faction, asks for the floor and for extra time, and is given eight minutes.
Lauri Läänemets
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Läänemets emphasized that the draft protects freedom of religion and Estonia's security by severing ties with the Kremlin and the Moscow Patriarchate and by highlighting Russian aggression as the main threat.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanks you and submits a request on behalf of the Reformierakonna faction.
Anti Haugas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Haugas said that the aim of the bill is to regulate the activities of religious associations in such a way that they are protected from external influences and that Estonia's values and security are safeguarded, and that freedom of religion is not restricted; and after its adoption congregations must remove from their statutes provisions that subordinate their activities to Kirill and the Moscow Patriarchate, although the spiritual nature does not entail a right to vote, which the Reformierakond faction also supported.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanks wholeheartedly, and on behalf of the Eesti 200 faction, Ando Kiviberg presents a plea.
Ando Kiviberg
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Ando Kiviberg emphasizes that, against the backdrop of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, there is a need for a legal amendment that prevents the exploitation of religious organizations for incitement of hatred, and highlights the Moscow Orthodox Church's and Patriarch Kirill's KGB background as well as the Estonian Church's historical ties, showing that Kirill cannot act as a private individual without accountability.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-speaker Toomas Kivimägi asks to add three more minutes for discussion.
Ando Kiviberg
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The main message of the presentation was that continuing canonical ties with the Moscow Patriarchate threatens Estonia's freedom of religion and the country's security, and these ties must therefore be ended, referring to the war in Ukraine and other examples, and colleagues were urged, on behalf of Eesti 200, to vote for the draft so that Estonia would be more secure and would not allow the intelligence services of hostile states to operate under the cover of religion.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Belobrovtsev thanked and asked for eight minutes of extra time on behalf of the Estonian Centre Party faction.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev claims that the draft bill puts the Estonian Christian Orthodox Church's canonical ties and religious freedom at risk, that there is no impact assessment, and that the legislative amendment constitutes political pressure on the church, and therefore he does not support the draft.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi ends negotiations, announces that Bill 570 will be put to a final vote and that for its adoption as a law a majority of the Riigikogu's membership is required (at least 51 votes in favor), and asks colleagues to take a position and vote.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Bill 570 was passed into law: 60 members of the Riigikogu voted in favor, 13 against, and 0 abstained.