Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid on Monday, January 11, addressed the factions of the Riigikogu with a proposal to link the planned referendum on marriage with the question of confidence in parliament. According to Prime Minister Juri Ratas, the president is thus interfering too actively in current politics.

The press service of the Presidential Office noted that the President's proposal essentially means that if the bill put forward for a referendum does not find support among Estonians, extraordinary parliamentary elections will be announced in the country.

In a letter sent Monday night to all parliamentary factions, Kaljulaid noted that under Article One of the current Family Act, marriage in Estonia is between a man and a woman.

"The planned referendum on marriage is intended to reaffirm this fact; however, it is still not clear how the outcome of the referendum would be affected if the answer is different. In light of the research showing that a majority of people in Latvia do not believe that holding such a referendum is relevant and unnecessary at this time, I propose that the time and money to hold this vote should be used to solve the viral crisis currently plaguing our society," the President said.

Kaljulaid met with the leaders of the three parties to discuss the situation in Riigikogu

At the same time, the President admitted that a referendum still seems important to most MPs at this point in time. Voting on the proposed topic does not entail political responsibility for its result. According to Kaljulaid, it would be fair on the part of the deputies in such a case to link the outcome of the referendum to their own political responsibility.

"I propose that the present discussion be interrupted and that the concept of marriage be put to a vote as a bill, as Article 105 of the Constitution provides. In that case, it would also be a vote of confidence in the current composition of the Riigikogu," Kaljulaid explained.

In accordance with that article, a law adopted in a referendum must be proclaimed by the President without delay. If the bill thus put to a referendum does not find majority support, the president will proclaim an extraordinary parliamentary election.

"This would be fair to the voters and a step toward restoring confidence in parliament and politics, restoring their dignity. The people of Estonia want to be proud of their parliament and I urge to give people a good reason for that," Kirsti Kaljulaid stressed. Read more via ERR