The Georgian Parliament on Wednesday, the 17th of April, gave initial approval to the controversial “foreign agents” bill, which for the third night in a row sparked protests and European Union (EU) concerns about its impact on the country’s path to EU membership. The fate of the bill is seen as a key indicator of whether Georgia will side with the West or Russia, reports Reuters.
The draft law would require organisations receiving more than 20% of their funding from abroad to register as agents of foreign influence, with critics comparing it to a law that Russia has used extensively to crack down on dissent.
As many as 10 000 opponents of the bill gathered outside the Georgian parliament with some protesters going to the government building to demand a meeting with Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, the main supporter of the bill. Clashes broke out between masked and helmeted demonstrators and police outside the heavily guarded government building.
Footage of a rally of thousands against the draft law “on foreign agents” in #Tbilisi on Rustaveli Avenue
Video by Mtavari pic.twitter.com/BhvJWDa2KK
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) April 17, 2024
83 out of 150 MPs voted in favour, while opposition MPs boycotted the vote. The bill must pass two more readings before it becomes law.
Shortly after the vote, the EU said in a statement: “This decision is very worrying and the final adoption of this law will have a negative impact on Georgia’s further progress towards EU accession.
This law is not in line with the fundamental norms and values of the EU.”
It noted that the proposed draft law “would restrict the ability of civil society and media organisations to operate freely, could limit freedom of expression and unfairly stigmatise organisations that benefit the people of Georgia”.
The US and the UK have also urged Georgia not to adopt the draft law.
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze rejected Western politicians’ criticism of the draft law, saying that their arguments were unfounded and would not influence the government’s position. President Salome Zourabishvili, who has limited powers, expressed her intention to veto the law if it is passed, but Parliament retains the right to override her veto.
The ruling Georgian Dream party claims the bill is essential for transparency and to counter what it perceives as foreign-imposed “pseudo-liberal values.” The party has faced criticism for alleged authoritarianism and ties to Russia.
Parliament approved the law in first reading, which was adopted in a stormy sitting during which four opposition lawmakers were escorted from the Chamber shouting “No to the Russian law” and “Traitors”.
Also read: Georgia’s ruling party to bring back controversial Russian-style law on “foreign agents”
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