Session Profile: Ando Kiviberg
15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary sitting.
2025-09-17
Political Position
The political focus is on ensuring national security, particularly in connection with cross-border religious links (the Russian Orthodox Church) and the threats posed by hybrid warfare. Regarding the amendments to the Church Act, the stance is strongly supportive, stressing that the restrictions are security-based, not related to freedom of religion. Another key issue is data protection and the proportionality of agency powers in preventing money laundering, where the President's veto to narrow the scope of the law was accepted.
19 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in constitutional law and legislative procedures, conveying detailed discussions regarding the restriction of religious freedom and the proportionality of data protection. He relies heavily on and cites detailed positions from legal experts, such as the President's legal counsel Hent-Raul Kalmo and the representative of the Ministry of the Interior Erik Salumäe.
19 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is predominantly formal and procedural, focusing on the transmission of committee meeting minutes and responding to inquiries. However, when presenting on behalf of Eesti 200, the tone shifts to urgent and highly persuasive, employing security-based arguments and concrete examples of the Moscow Patriarchate's support for military activity.
19 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is an active facilitator of the work of the Constitutional Committee, having been appointed as the committee's representative and reading out the minutes of the extraordinary sessions (August 4). He/She also refers to participation in the joint session of four committees (Constitutional, Finance, Legal, and Supervision of Security Agencies Committee). The work has focused on the expedited procedure for draft legislation that has been vetoed.
19 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The strong opposition is aimed at the Russian regime and the Moscow Patriarchate, which Eesti 200 accuses of acting as a weapon of hybrid warfare and supporting aggression. Procedurally, criticism was leveled against the Center Party’s proposed amendment to the Church Law, which would have narrowed the restrictions. Surprise was also expressed regarding the new arguments presented by the President of the Republic for rejecting the Church Law, hinting at the need to appeal to the Supreme Court.
19 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The cooperation is characterized by openness to hearing and considering the viewpoints of experts (including advisors to both the President and the ministries). Regarding the Money Laundering Prevention Act, a consensus was reached to agree with the President following an in-depth discussion involving four committees and various experts. Concerning the Church Law, efforts were made to find common ground with the President's legal advisor, but this was unsuccessful due to the introduction of new arguments.
19 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is clearly on the national and international level, addressing Estonian security (in the context of Russia’s aggression) and the interpretation of international law (the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights). There is no reference to specific Estonian local or regional issues.
19 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic considerations were indirectly evident during the debate on the anti-money laundering act, where the necessity of avoiding overly broad powers for government agencies was emphasized, as such powers could potentially damage the credibility of the Estonian business and banking sectors.
19 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The main social issue is the balance between freedom of religion and national security. It is emphasized that the amendments to the Church Law do not restrict the customary religious practices of believers, but are solely aimed at severing administrative ties that pose a security threat. The right to informational self-determination was also addressed in connection with the creation of databases by the Financial Intelligence Unit.
19 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on the processing of two vetoed bills: amendments to the Churches and Congregations Act (570 UA), which are supported for re-adoption without changes, and amendments to the Money Laundering Prevention Act, where the President's veto was accepted and the bill was sent back for modification. The speaker, acting as the representative of the Constitutional Committee, is the primary facilitator of the proceedings.
19 Speeches Analyzed