Estonian Parliament Overrules President, Moves to Ban Orthodox Church

TALLINN — Estonia’s Constitutional Committee voted Monday to advance a contentious bill targeting the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church (EOCC), despite President Alar Karis rejecting it twice as potentially unconstitutional. 

The Law on Churches and Parishes, criticized for its broad impact on religious groups, aims to ban the church due to its alleged ties to the Moscow Patriarchate, which Parliament labeled a supporter of military aggression last year. 

Committee Chairman Ando Kiviberg defended the bill, prioritizing national security over religious freedom, though no specific threat from the church was cited. 

The decision wasn’t unanimous, with Anastasia Kovalenko-Kõlvart (Centre Party) opposing and Ants Frosch (Isamaa) abstaining. Kovalenko-Kõlvart warned the law violates the constitution and could affect other associations. 

The Legal Affairs Committee will review the bill in September, likely recommending it proceed unchanged, potentially leading to a Supreme Court challenge.

The EOCC had thanked President Karis for rejecting the bill, the UOJ reported.

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