Interpellation concerning the ensuring of so-called marriage equality and the natural rights of children (No. 324)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary sitting
Date: 2024-03-04 21:53
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 5
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 9m
AI Summaries: 5/5 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
A debate was held in the Riigikogu concerning Interpellation No. 324, submitted by Riigikogu members Varro Vooglaid and Kalle Grünthal, which addressed ensuring marriage equality and the natural rights of children. The interpellation was submitted in response to the government coalition's plan to redefine marriage, thereby including same-sex relationships and granting them adoption rights. Varro Vooglaid, representing the interpellators, criticized the coalition's approach, arguing that the rhetoric of marriage equality is logically contradictory and selective. He questioned why the government coalition, while speaking of equal rights, still excludes unions between relatives or more than two people, and stressed the natural right of children to a mother and a father.
The Minister of Social Protection, Signe Riisalo, responded to the interpellation. The Minister confirmed that the government coalition defined marriage as a union between two adults and has never considered, nor plans to consider, allowing polygamous or consanguineous marriages. She emphasized that current law clearly excludes marriage between siblings and half-siblings, and this boundary will be maintained. Regarding the issue of children's rights, Riisalo noted that both the Estonian Constitution and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child refer to "parents," not specifically a mother and a father. Riisalo stressed the state's obligation to create a legal framework that supports the welfare and protection of children in every family form, whether they are children of a traditional family, a same-sex couple, or blended families.
Decisions Made 1
The discussion of the inquiry was informative, and no legislative decisions were adopted during it.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Varro Vooglaid (pid: AgtFyvtiiaE), the representative of the interpellators. Vooglaid, who represents a socially conservative and traditional position (the opposition), introduced the interpellation and leveled sharp criticism at the governing coalition regarding the selectivity involved in redefining the concept of marriage. He questioned the logical consistency of the marriage equality rhetoric, demanding clarification as to why marriage is still restricted between relatives and multiple partners, and stressed the necessity of protecting the natural rights of children.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Riigikogu Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas moves on to the eighth interpellation, which was submitted on May 13, 2023, by Varro Vooglaid and Kalle Grünthal, and which addresses the ensuring of marriage equality and the natural rights of children. The Minister of Social Protection, Signe Riisalo, will respond to this interpellation, which the submitter, Vooglaid, has also requested be introduced to the public.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid accuses the governing coalition of the radical redefinition of the concept of marriage, asserting that it encompasses homosexual relationships and grants adoption rights to same-sex couples. He then poses three questions: On what basis is marriage equality founded if it is selective and excludes relatives or unions consisting of three or more people? Will the right to marry also be granted to groups of three or more people and to relatives, and if so, when? And does the state respect the natural right of all children to a mother and father, and will it refrain from taking steps that infringe upon that right?
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas invited the Minister of Social Protection, Signe Riisalo, to the Riigikogu podium to answer Interpellation No. 324.
Sotsiaalkaitseminister Signe Riisalo
AI Summary
Riisalo emphasized that the government preserves marriage as a union between two adults, does not intend to discuss polygamy, and wishes to create a legal framework that protects various family models, as well as parental care for children and the respect for parental rights.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas announced that there were no questions, the opening of negotiations was not recommended, and after the gavel falls, anyone interested may sign up for the open microphone.