Politicians differ on future of Tallinn's Alexander Nevsky Cathedral lease
Interior Minister Igor Taro believes Tallinn can terminate the lease of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, but city authorities say there are no legal grounds to do so.
The lease agreement for Tallinn's Alexander Nevsky Cathedral has become a subject of political debate. Interior Minister Igor Taro (Eesti 200) responded on social media to historian Lauri Vahtre (Isamaa party), who suggested the cathedral could be sold. Taro countered that the city could terminate the lease with the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church (EOCC).
Taro argued that under the current lease, the cathedral effectively serves as the residence of Patriarch Kirill, who supports Russia's aggression in Ukraine. He believes it is inappropriate for such a residence to exist in Tallinn and that the cathedral should no longer be his official seat.
According to the interior minister, Tallinn could cancel the lease before the end of the transition period granted to the EOCC to align its charter with the law on churches and congregations. However, city officials disagree.
Deputy Mayor Tiit Terik (Centre Party) stated that as long as the state allows this organization to operate in Estonia, the city has no legally valid reason to terminate the contract. Attorney Artur Knyazev, representing the EOCC, also saw no legal basis for cancellation.
Knyazev noted that a new law aims to forcibly terminate the activities of these legal entities, which would eventually void the lease. However, singling out lease termination as a separate measure would only serve to pressure and frighten people.
Tallinn Mayor Peeter Raudsepp plans to meet with Interior Minister Igor Taro to clarify the government's stance on the possible termination of the cathedral's lease.
