Estonian Parliament Refuses to Review Law Targeting the Orthodox Church
The Estonian Parliament (or Riigikogu) declined to revisit the recent law targeting the canonical Church, despite protests by Estonia's president.
TALLINN — On August 4, 2025, the Riigikogu’s constitutional commission, chaired by Ando Kiviberg (Eesti 200), decided to uphold the Law on Churches and Parishes in its original form, rejecting amendments despite concerns raised by Estonia’s President, according to Delfi. The commission found the law’s text clear and sufficient, dismissing the President’s critique that its vague wording could impact religious communities’ daily activities beyond their external relations.
The Riigikogu’s legal commission, led by Madis Timpson (Reform Party), will revisit the law in September. Timpson sees no need for revisions and plans to propose a vote to pass it unchanged, stressing that the law targets external influence under the guise of free speech and democracy, not specific religions or church activities.
Delfi notes that if the parliament reapproves the law, the President must either sign it or seek a constitutional review from the State Court. The President’s final decision will follow the Riigikogu’s vote. Earlier, the UOJ reported plans by Estonian MPs to amend the law based on the President’s remarks.
