Despite the initial reservations and the refusal of Estonian President Alar Karis to promulgate the relevant amendments to the Churches and Congregations Act on two occasions, the country’s Supreme Court has ruled that the amendments adopted by the Parliament (Riigikogu) are constitutional, paving the way for their final implementation.
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The case reached the Supreme Court following a petition submitted by President Alar Karis himself.
The Court found that the disputed provisions do not violate freedom of religion or freedom of association, as they can be applied without leading to the arbitrary dissolution of religious organizations.
It should be recalled that President Karis refused for a second time in July 2025 to sign the bill approved by Parliament, arguing that the proposed amendments did not provide sufficient safeguards for the protection of constitutional rights. The amendments, which were reapproved by the Estonian Parliament in June 2025, were intended to limit the influence of foreign centers of power over the country’s religious organizations and are directly linked to the issue of the relationship between the Orthodox Church of Estonia and the Moscow Patriarchate.
Among other findings, the Supreme Court emphasized that safeguarding national security and the constitutional order constitutes a paramount national responsibility.
The Court also held that the contested provisions can be applied through a restrictive interpretation consistent with the Constitution, thereby preventing arbitrary interference with religious organizations while simultaneously ensuring the country’s protection against external threats.
