(MENAFN) Estonia’s President Alar Karis has, for the second time, refused to approve a controversial law aimed at the country’s largest Christian group, the Estonian Christian Orthodox Church (ECOC), arguing that it violates the nation’s constitution.

The bill, passed by parliament in April, seeks to prevent religious organizations from maintaining ties with foreign entities considered security threats. It would ban local churches from having relationships or financial dealings with such foreign bodies mentioned in their foundational documents or charters.

Although lawmakers revised the legislation after Karis’s initial opposition in April, the president still finds the changes insufficient. He criticized the bill for disproportionately restricting religious freedom and called the definition of a “threat” too vague.

Karis suggested that Estonia has more effective ways to counter foreign influence and warned against excessive interference in people’s religious practices. He also accused lawmakers of aiming to control church teachings and rituals.

The president’s stance was criticized by Interior Minister Igor Taro, who insisted the law is meant to protect national security and does not intend to ban Orthodox Christianity or any religion.

The ECOC has voiced concerns about the law, stating it disproportionately interferes with religious associations’ internal affairs despite amendments. The church was previously required to remove references to the Moscow Patriarchate from its charter due to its canonical ties with the Russian Orthodox Church, especially after tensions rose following the Ukraine conflict in 2022.

The Russian Orthodox Church has condemned the draft legislation as discriminatory toward Estonia’s 250,000 Orthodox believers, emphasizing that the ECOC has not engaged in political activities or threatened public safety. Government data shows approximately 16% of Estonians identify as Orthodox Christians, while 8% are Lutherans.

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