Riigikogu again refuses to amend Churches Act rejected by president

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Tallinn. Photo: Eero Vabamägi

On September 16, 2025, the Estonian parliament for the third time voted to pass the Churches and Congregations Act without changes. According to Postimees, 63 deputies supported the decision, while 15 opposed it. The document will now be referred to the Supreme Court, which will review its constitutionality.

The adopted law obliges religious organizations to amend their statutes if they are subordinate to foreign centers whose activities the authorities recognize as a threat to the sovereignty or constitutional order of the state. A six-month period is provided for compliance. If the statute or leadership of an organization is not brought into line, parishes will be able to withdraw and register new documents even without the consent of the previous center. The explanatory note stresses that the aim of the law is to prevent the misuse of religious freedom for the spread of extremism and hostile influence.

In practice, the new law is aimed against the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church (EOCC). Government representatives openly state that if the EOCC refuses to comply with the requirements, it may face prosecution and an effective ban on its activities.

Estonian President Alar Karis also criticized the law. Speaking at the opening of the Riigikogu’s autumn session on September 15, he emphasized that the law must comply with the Constitution and cannot disproportionately restrict freedom of religion. According to Karis, the matter concerns not only safeguarding fundamental rights but also a serious approach to the goals set and an evaluation of the law’s provisions in light of those goals.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Estonian president again pointed out the unconstitutionality of the “Churches Act.”

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