Agenda Profile: Ando Kiviberg
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 most important issue is national security and ensuring it by severing the dangerous cross-border ties of religious associations. The speaker strongly and fundamentally supports the adoption of the Law Amending the Law on Churches and Congregations (570 UA) in its unchanged form, framing it as a necessary measure against the activities of the Russian Orthodox Church, which is being used as a weapon of Russian aggression and hybrid warfare. The political position is value-based and security-oriented.
10 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The text demonstrates profound expertise in constitutional law and the legislation governing religious freedom, drawing extensively on the standpoints of both the President's legal counsel and experts from the Ministry of the Interior. Specific legal terminology is employed, such as "doctrinal basis," "ipso iure," and reference is made to the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights and the Supreme Court concerning the interpretation of religious freedom and treason. Experts are consulted, and their arguments are carefully considered as the foundation for political decisions.
10 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is predominantly formal, procedural, and analytical, since the speaker is reading the minutes of a committee session and relaying expert opinions. However, when the speaker addresses the audience on behalf of the Eesti 200 faction, the tone shifts to urgent and emotional, employing strong language such as "as a weapon of hybrid warfare" and "aggression by the Kremlin Chekist mafia gang" to underscore the security threat.
10 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
It demonstrates active participation in the committee's work, including the convening of extraordinary sessions and comprehensive consultation with legal experts during the reconsideration of the draft legislation. The speaker's role, as the committee chairman or representative, is to present and defend the results of the session before the Riigikogu.
10 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary conflict is with the President of the Republic, whose veto and new arguments (especially concerning the concept of "doctrinal basis") came as a surprise to the committee, suggesting the need to let the Supreme Court make the final ruling. Criticism is also directed at the Centre Party, which opposed the constitutionality of the bill and submitted restrictive amendments.
10 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The committee achieved clear majority support (6 votes in favor) for adopting the bill without amendments. Following the initial veto, there was an active effort to find common ground and coordinate approaches with the President's legal advisor, but this endeavor ultimately failed because new arguments were introduced.
10 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is on national security and international relations, particularly Russia's aggression and the activities of the Moscow Patriarchate. Reference is made to international institutions (the UN, the ECHR) and the experiences of other countries regarding religious associations. There is no local or regional focus.
10 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Not enough data
10 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The balance between religious freedom and national security is addressed, emphasizing that the amendment does not restrict the customary religious rites of believers. The purpose of the law is to sever dangerous administrative and doctrinal ties that could pose a security threat, citing the example of a hypothetical radical Muslim community.
10 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The main legislative priority is the re-adoption, in its unchanged form, of the Act amending the Churches and Congregations Act (570 UA), which was rejected by the President of the Republic. The speaker, acting as a representative of the commission, is a strong proponent of the law, emphasizing that the abstract wording of the regulation is necessary because the threat to security can also reside in doctrinal foundations.
10 Speeches Analyzed