A controversial bill on foreign influence passed the second reading in the Georgian parliament on Wednesday. This was reported by the Reuters agency with reference to local media. Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of the capital Tbilisi on Wednesday to protest against the norm. The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, condemned the violence at the protests and called on Georgia not to give up its path to Europe.
Tbilisi
10:37 p.m May 1, 2024
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The bill has repeatedly brought thousands of Georgians to the streets since Georgian Dream submitted it to parliament in mid-April | Photo: Irakli Gedenidze | Source: Reuters
According to the ruling party Georgian Dream, the upcoming law is intended to bring greater clarity to the financing of non-governmental organizations. Opponents call the document a “Russian law”, modeled after Russia, where similar legislation has allowed the Kremlin to suppress opposition and non-governmental organizations and silence independent media.
The bill has repeatedly brought thousands of Georgians to the streets since Georgian Dream submitted it to parliament in mid-April.
It also raised concerns in Brussels, which warned that the adoption of this type of law could damage Georgia’s chances of joining the European Union.
Exceeding the framework of the constitution. Georgians once again protest against the controversial law on foreign agents
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83 deputies voted for the law, which the government wants to finally approve by mid-May, and 23 were against, AFP reported.
The Georgian Dream has a sufficient majority in the parliament needed not only to pass the law, but also to override the expected veto of President Salome Zourabišvili.
Tens of thousands of people gathered to protest the law on Wednesday evening, AFP reported. Demonstrators with flags of Georgia and the European Union gathered in front of the parliament building, where police used tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets to disperse the gathering on Tuesday.
According to Reuters, it again used tear gas and stun grenades against protesters on Wednesday.
European Commission chief von der Leyen said she was following the police crackdown on demonstrations in Georgia with “deep concern”. She condemned the violence and called on the Georgian government “not to leave the road to Europe”.
“Georgian citizens express their deep commitment to democracy, and the Georgian government should take note of this clear message,” she said in a statement posted on social network X. She also wrote that the EU has made clear its concerns about the upcoming foreign influence law.
The Georgian Dream, which has ruled the Caucasian country of five million people since 2012, is accused by critics of authoritarian tendencies and too close to Russia. But the ruling party remains the country’s most popular grouping, according to opinion polls, even though its popularity has waned since the last election in 2020.
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