Agenda Profile: Ando Kiviberg
Reconsideration of the Act Amending the Act on Churches and Religious Communities (570 UA), Not Proclaimed by the President of the Republic
2025-05-14
15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, plenary session
Political Position
The political focus is on amendments to the law on churches and congregations, which concern the foreign ties of religious organizations and Estonian security. The speaker supports the objective of ensuring Estonian security but opposes adopting the law in its unamended form because, according to the president, it is too general and ambiguous. This position is aimed at finding consensus and making the law more precise in order to resolve the legal issues that have arisen.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates robust expertise in the field of legislative procedure and constitutional law, serving as a representative of the Constitutional Committee. They are proficient in legal terminology ("negation of negation," "amendment of the draft wording") and capable of detailing the stances of the Presidential Chancellery and the Ministry of the Interior concerning the specific formulation of the law. This expertise further encompasses knowledge regarding the impact of statutory amendments on various associations, including political parties.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is formal, analytical, and procedure-centric, focusing on conveying the work of the commission and its procedural decisions to the plenary. The speaker personally emphasizes the desire to reach unanimity and resolve the situation consensually, employing logical arguments regarding the precision and ambiguity of the law. When responding to questions, the speaker is cautious about expressing personal viewpoints if those views are not reflected in the commission's minutes.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The pattern of activity is related to the work of the Riigikogu committees, especially the sessions of the Constitutional Committee (May 6) and the presentation of procedural decisions to the plenary assembly. Previous consultations with the Legal Affairs Committee and the lawyers of the President's Chancellery were also mentioned in order to find further solutions. The speaker acts as the representative of the lead committee.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The direct confrontation stems from the President of the Republic’s decision to refuse to promulgate the law, a decision prompted by the legislation's overly general wording and potential constitutional conflict. The speaker approaches the president's stance constructively, viewing it as guidance on how to resolve the situation, and emphasizes that the underlying objective (security) is legitimate.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The style of cooperation is open and consensus-based; the committee made a procedural decision (not to support adoption in its unamended form) by consensus. The speaker emphasized their personal readiness to take a step toward reaching an agreement, citing previous consultations with legal experts from the Legal Affairs Committee, the Ministry of the Interior, and the Office of the President.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
No data available.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
No data available.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The main social issue concerns restricting the freedoms of religious organizations for security considerations, specifically to prevent them from being guided by an individual or association with significant influence located in a foreign country. The speaker emphasizes that the restriction must have a legitimate purpose (Estonian security) and that the law must be precise so as not to unduly restrict the freedoms of all associations, including political parties. Threats such as the Moscow Patriarchate and Islamic radicalism are mentioned.
9 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is currently on the re-deliberation of the Act amending the Churches and Congregations Act, which was returned by the President of the Republic. The aim is to make the wording of the act more precise, thereby avoiding ambiguity and ensuring its compliance with the Constitution. The preferred amendment proposal would narrow the prohibition on being guided by a foreign person only to decisions that pose a threat to national security or support aggression.
9 Speeches Analyzed