By Plenary Sessions: Tanel Kiik

Expresses deep respect for believers and emphasizes the importance of religious freedom. It draws a clear distinction between the religious freedom of Orthodox Church members and Patriarch Kirill’s war-inciting behavior, stressing that the daily right of religious people to practice their faith should not be restricted. It criticizes the rudeness of EKRE representatives in parliament and demands a more proper debate culture in the Riigikogu.

The speeches do not directly address traditional social issues such as abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, immigration, or education policy. Instead, the focus is strongly placed on the social protection system, emphasizing that the Estonian social and healthcare systems must not be cut and that these areas require additional funding. Particular emphasis is placed on protecting pensioners, people with health concerns, and families with children, pointing out that Estonia ranks last in the European Union regarding relative poverty among the elderly.

The speech delivered does not directly tackle social issues like abortion, LGBTQ+, immigration, education, or police operations. The sole indirect reference to social aspects is the speaker’s observation regarding the decrease in alcohol consumption over time, which they view as a positive development, coupled with their agreement with the Minister of Finance that, given the increased purchasing power for alcohol, this matter can no longer be treated lightly. The speaker notes that they are a former Minister of Health, highlighting their background in the healthcare sector.

The speaker addresses child protection and the work prohibitions related to pedophilia offenses, stressing the need for clarity on whether the draft law allows individuals convicted of pedophilia to have their ban on working with children reassessed. They express confidence that Parliament is morally unanimous regarding the issue of pedophilia but requires legal clarity.