State and Church
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, information briefing
Date: 2024-05-08 16:09
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 12
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 11m
AI Summaries: 12/12 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu discussed the relationship between the state and the church and the influence of the Moscow Patriarchate on Estonian Orthodoxy within the framework of the seventh agenda item. Central attention was directed to how the state views moving away from the Moscow Patriarchate and what steps should be taken to separate religious life from the state and protect religious freedom. It was also emphasized that the Riigikogu statement constituted a collective assessment, based on which attention is directed to the congregations and individuals whom the decision concerns. Furthermore, the continuation of the churches' functioning without restrictions and the importance of international cooperation in reducing the influence of the Moscow Patriarchate were stressed.
The second part involved a public discussion on the church's role in the national context, during which attention was paid to possible connections with politics and the risks that may arise if religious institutions or leaders associate themselves with one state or another in the event of aggression. Issues related to Islam and European-level mechanisms for addressing these topics were also discussed. The session concluded with the handling of a procedural matter.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were made. There are no decisions from this session.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Prime Minister Kaja Kallas (Reform Party). Her position is reflected in a right-wing political orientation (which is understandably liberal, but generally considered right-wing for the purposes of the Reform Party).
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that today's sixth question will not be addressed, and he is moving immediately on to question number 7 for Prime Minister Kaja Kallas. This question will be presented by Riigikogu member Aleksandr Tšaplõgin, and the topic is the state and the church.
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He criticizes the Ministry of the Interior's actions, which involve attempting to influence Orthodox congregations through discussions to separate from the Moscow Patriarchate. He stresses that the Estonian Orthodox Church is not a subsidiary of the Moscow Patriarchate, and that the state and the church are separate.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas announced that Estonia will end its association with the Moscow Patriarchate, protect religious freedom and the openness of churches, and calls on the international community to curb the Patriarchate's influence, emphasizing that believers are separate from political aggression.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Thank you very much. Next, Aleksandr Chaplygin will ask a clarifying question.
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He/She raised the concern that the person who became the Mayor of Tallinn is connected to Russia and under Putin's influence, and the resulting security risk, and asked how this squares with the government's assertion that everything is fine, and why ministers are pressuring the community and the church to terminate canonical relations with the Russian Church.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kallas stressed that democracy applies even in Tallinn, and the political dimension associated with the Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate is dangerous because it could invoke narratives of holy war, pose internal security risks, and, similar to previous cases, justify terrorism.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked them and called upon Siim Pohlak to pose the next supplementary question.
Siim Pohlak
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Siim Pohlak is asking the Prime Minister how Estonia is addressing Islamist terrorism and the threats associated with it, whether and in what way vigorous awareness campaigns are being conducted in Europe, what steps and official statements are being adopted, and how the issue is being handled within the context of the Islamic faith.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kallas said that extreme ideas have been attached to the Islamic faith, which must be avoided, and since Estonia does not have as large an Islamic community as other European countries, we participate in discussions on migration and security at the European level, but we are not taking the lead.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chair offered thanks, concluded the discussion of today's seventh item, and announced that before moving on to the eighth item, there is a procedural question regarding the conduct of the sitting, which will be presented by Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Kovalenko-Kõlvart claims that the prime minister sought to mislead the public to some extent, and emphasizes that the Estonian Orthodox Church does not support Russia's aggression, has disavowed the words of Patriarch Kirill, and offers prayers for Ukraine, for all victims, and for a swift end to the war.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that the question presented does not qualify as a point of order, asking that this be adhered to in the future and emphasizing that a point of order must concern the procedure for conducting the session, and a rebuttal is not provided for in this format.