Skip to content

Estonia

March 24th - March 30th, 2025 | Week 82 | Month 19

Estonia Weekly: Allegations of Discrimination Against Russians

The Estonian parliament's recent constitutional amendment excluding third-country nationals and stateless persons from voting has sparked controversy among pro-Kremlin commentators, who argue that it discriminates against and marginalises long-term residents, including Russian and Belarusian citizens. Pro-Kremlin commentators have criticised Estonia's law on churches and congregations, claiming it is part of a "Russophobic policy" aimed at persecuting Russian Orthodox believers.

by Dmitri Teperik and Artur Aukon
Tallinn Orthodox Churxh
Main channels: Facebook, Telegram, web-pages

8

Main narratives:

  • Russophobia is on the rise in Estonia;
  • Anti-government sentiments;
  • Discrimination against Russian speakers and Orthodox believers.

Overview:

Last week, the Estonian parliament amended the constitution to deprive third-country nationals living in Estonia of the right to vote in local elections. In addition, stateless persons will also lose their right to vote from the next elections. This decision has sparked some controversy on several fronts, with pro-Kremlin commentators on social media spreading disinformation about waves of discrimination against Russian-speaking people in Estonia. They argued that the amendment discriminates against long-term residents who have contributed to Estonian society but do not have EU or Estonian citizenship. They also claimed that these people, including many Russian and Belarusian citizens, will be unfairly excluded from participating in local governance. Supporters of the amendment argued that it is necessary to ensure that only those who share Estonia’s democratic values and security interests influence local politics. Another point of contention is the inclusion of stateless persons, often holders of so-called ‘grey passports’, in the disenfranchisement. While they will retain the right to vote in the upcoming elections, they will be disenfranchised thereafter. Some politicians believe this measure is unfair because it lumps all stateless people together, regardless of their personal views or contributions. They suggest that a more flexible approach could mitigate the potential alienation of these communities.

The Estonian Parliament successfully passed the second reading of amendments to the Law on Churches and Congregations, requiring the Russian Orthodox Church in Estonia to sever all ties, including canonical ones, with the Moscow Patriarchate. The day before, this religious organisation changed its name to the Estonian Christian Orthodox Church, following a court ruling. However, these changes did not satisfy the Estonian Ministry of the Interior. Commentators in popular Facebook and Telegram groups, echoing Russian propaganda outlets, once again claimed that this was part of a “Russophobic policy” by the Estonian authorities aimed at persecuting the Orthodox Church. Notably, reposts of a speech by a highly conservative politician from the opposition EKRE faction supporting the Church’s position appeared in Russian-speaking social media groups. This suggests that a segment of Estonia’s Russian-speaking population continues to sympathise with the right-wing populist EKRE party, whose rhetoric about preserving so-called ‘traditional values’ inadvertently echoes Kremlin narratives.

Weekly Reports
Saeimas

Latvia Weekly: How Outrage Is Fueling a Populist Surge

April 14th - April 20th, 2025

Estonia Weekly: Concerns Over Russian Propaganda and Youth Indoctrination

April 14th - April 20th, 2025

Military

Lithuania Weekly: Silence After Tragedy Fuels New Conspiracy Theories

April 7th - April 13th, 2025

Market

Latvia Weekly: Russophobia, Decline, and Delusion - Narratives Fuel Division

April 7th - April 13th, 2025

Ship

Estonia Weekly: Seizure of Sanctioned Tanker Sparks Kremlin Backlash

April 7th - April 13th, 2025

Pabradė

Lithuania Weekly: Conspiracies After Successful Pabradė Operation

March 31st - April 6th, 2025

Army

Latvia Weekly: Propaganda Paints Latvia as Aggressor

March 31st - April 6th, 2025

Tallinn

Estonia Weekly: Propaganda Targets Censorship and Spending

March 31st - April 6th, 2025

Pabradė

Lithuania Weekly: Pabradė Tragedy Sparks Anti-NATO Narratives

March 24th - March 30th, 2025

Riga

Latvia Weekly: How Kremlin Channels Paint Latvia as Collapsing

March 24th - March 30th, 2025

Don't miss a story.

We publish stories that change laws, lives, minds and the world. Subscribe to our newsletter to get our investigations delivered to your inbox.