Agenda Profile: Kalle Grünthal
Re-examination of the Act Amending the Act on Churches and Religious Communities (570 UA) Not Proclaimed by the President of the Republic
2025-09-17
15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary sitting.
Political Position
The political position is strongly focused on the quality of legislation and constitutional correctness. The speaker sharply criticizes the work and competence of the Riigikogu committees (especially the Legal Affairs Committee and the Constitutional Committee) regarding the renewed discussion of the act amending the Churches and Congregations Act. He/She indirectly supports the legal assessment provided by the Office of the President and considers the current debate incompetent, stressing that decisions must be fact-based, not made "on feelings."
4 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker focuses on the topic of constitutional law and legislative procedures, emphasizing the necessity for high-level legal knowledge. He employs specific terminology, such as "constitutional infringement," and holds the legal expertise of the presidential advisors and Varro Vooglaid in high regard, considering them constitutional law luminaries. He primarily demonstrates his own knowledge by demanding specialized competence from the commissions and criticizing the lack thereof.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is confrontational, critical, and insistent, highlighting procedural irregularities and incompetence. The speaker employs powerful metaphors (such as the "Novgorod Veche," where victory goes to the one who shouts the loudest) and juxtaposes emotional decisions ("feelings should be left in bed") against rigorous legal analysis. He poses repetitive and demanding questions, even accusing the rapporteur of having hearing problems when an answer is not forthcoming.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is an active and frequent questioner during the debate on a specific draft law in the Riigikogu, repeatedly posing the same questions regarding the competence of the committee members. Their pattern of activity is centered on highlighting procedural deficiencies during the parliamentary session and demanding expertise.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponents are the Riigikogu committees (the Legal Affairs Committee and the Constitutional Committee) and their members, who are accused of lacking professional knowledge and being incompetent. The criticism is both procedural and competence-based, claiming that the committees made decisions "on a whim" and only listened to the opinion of the government representative. The speaker calls such a procedure an "outrage" and doubts the committees' ability to provide a commensurate response to the president's legal assessment.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The style of cooperation is demanding and selective; the speaker seeks collaboration only with individuals possessing the highest legal competence, whom he considers experts (e.g., Varro Vooglaid and presidential advisors). He sharply criticizes the commissions' capacity for cooperation and their level of knowledge, which suggests an unwillingness to compromise with parties deemed incompetent.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is exclusively on the national level, the procedural organization of the Riigikogu, and issues of constitutionality. There are no references to specific regions, local projects, or international topics.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Not enough data
4 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
This position is articulated during the discussion concerning the amendment of the Churches and Congregations Act. Although this is a social/religious issue, it is being addressed strictly through the lens of constitutional compliance and legal expertise. The speaker emphasizes that the decision being made affects "absolutely everyone living in Estonia," which lends the topic broad societal importance.
4 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The primary legislative focus is opposition to the current procedure for handling the bill amending the Law on Churches and Congregations (570 UA), due to the lack of proper discussion involving specialists. The speaker is a staunch critic of both the procedure and the draft bill itself, insisting that the committees must include individuals who are experts in the subject matter.
4 Speeches Analyzed