Speaking to the ETV discussion show “Esimene stuudio” on Tuesday, Kaljulaid said, “This is an imported discussion that can be initiated and then fueled. I understand who is doing this and why, but what I don’t understand very well is why This has led to a broader discussion within the coalition. “
Regarding abortion, Kaljulaid said, “We don’t have these discussions [in Estonian society]. So far we haven’t minded so don’t try to make it an important topic for us. “
Abortion was legalized in Estonia fairly early in the Soviet era, and although the law was modified somewhat after independence was restored in 1991, it has remained legal ever since.
Opposition to abortion has been particularly strong in the US in recent years as the state of Alabama tried to outlaw the practice through a law currently being held back by legal challenges.
The issue was heated up in Estonia this week after the coalition parties published their list of beneficiaries of so-called “protection funds”. The largest single beneficiary was an NGO founded in August that carried out a march against abortion and this was provided with € 141,000.
Kaljulaid described the step taken jointly by all three coalition parties, Center, EKRE and Isamaa, as a conscious policy and a signal to society as a whole, adding that the coalition had not tried to hide this intention.
She said: “This is honest, transparent and clear and the most pressing issue that the ruling coalition would like to address. I hope that this is also very clear to the electorate. This is a common policy throughout the coalition.”
While the three parties have jointly spent the € 6.4 million protection money this year, it is likely that each party will have their own pet projects for the funds, which are typically regional in nature and projects such as sports facilities and church renovations include.
Chairman: Isn’t it true that one marriage referendum result would be more or less legally binding than another
The planned referendum on the definition of marriage, which is due to take place in the spring, also confused the president about its possible outcomes.
Kaljulaid said: “Some people have gotten the impression that a yes vote (to maintain the definition of marriage as between a man and a woman in the legislation as it is currently included in the Family Act) is somehow more binding than ‘no’ ( i.e. change the law) but that may not be the case. “
“It’s not rational, and somehow not honest with the public, to say ‘yes’ cements something. The referendum is bigger than just one question, and it has nothing to do with that one question. In fact, there’s a debate about whether every individual question is equal to another. This is the debate. “
“This (the definition of marriage) wasn’t a major battlefield either, but [the referendum] created a void that is now being filled, “added the President.
Kaljulaid noted that the Estonian Constitution states that all people are equal before the law, which means that everyone must be treated equally.
The original intention of the marriage referendum was to include the definition of marriage between a man and a woman in the constitution in the event of a “yes” vote. In the meantime, however, legal experts have stated that the constitution cannot simply be changed due to a referendum and that any change requires, for example, ratification by two consecutive Riigikogu compositions.
Speaking of protests against the requirement to wear face masks in public places, the president said last week, under a government ordinance, that a crack had been exploited again in discussions about the effectiveness of masks.
“”[The importance of the use of masks] is a voice of reason, but with facts it is very difficult to go against ‘religion’, “she added, implying that those who spoke out against masks – including those who participated in a demonstration last Friday – participated in them were.
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