A controversial foreign influence measure that prompted weeks of demonstrations is approved by Georgian parliament.
Georgia’s capital city of Tbilisi A “foreign influence” measure that triggered weeks of large-scale protests was adopted by Georgian parliament on Tuesday. Critics dubbed the bill a Russian-style danger to free expression and the nation’s hopes of joining the EU.
Following the 84–30 vote, a throng of demonstrators attempted to smash down metal barriers in front of the parliament. According to authorities, at least 13 persons were detained during the demonstration. According to Georgian press sources, one had serious head wounds and bruising.
If a charity organization or the media receives more than 20 percent of its financing from outside the country, the measure forces them to register as “pursuing the interests of a foreign power.”
The measure, according to the administration, is necessary to stop what it considers to be malicious foreign actors attempting to upset the political balance in the 3.7 million-person South Caucasus republic.
The measure has been dubbed “the Russian law” by the opposition because Moscow used laws of a similar nature to suppress non-governmental organizations, independent news outlets, and activists who are critical of the Kremlin.
Georgians “have to respect the fundamental principles of the rule of law and the democratic principles” if they “want to join the EU,” according to remarks made by European Council President Charles Michel on Tuesday.
The measure has been dubbed “the Russian law” by the opposition because Moscow used laws of a similar nature to suppress non-governmental organizations, independent news outlets, and activists who are critical of the Kremlin.
Georgians “have to respect the fundamental principles of the rule of law and the democratic principles” if they “want to join the EU,” according to remarks made by European Council President Charles Michel on Tuesday.
The proposal, according to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, “runs counter to democratic values and would move Georgia further away from the values of the European Union,” and the United States is “deeply troubled” by it. And let’s not overlook NATO either.
She continued, saying that passing the legislation “will compel us to fundamentally reassess our relationship with Georgia.”
After widespread demonstrations last year, the ruling Georgian Dream party was forced to rescind a measure that was almost exactly like this one. For weeks, police have been using water cannons and tear gas to remove protestors who have been fighting with them during renewed protests around Georgia.
Georgian Dream has enough votes to overcome President Salome Zourabichvili’s veto, despite the president’s commitment to veto the measure. Zourabichvili is becoming more and more at odds with the ruling party. For 14 days, Zourabichvili must take action.
Thousands of people flocked to Tbilisi’s streets over the weekend.
A fight broke out inside parliament during a debate. After Levan Khabeishvili, the leader of the largest opposition party United National Movement, accused Georgian Dream MP Dimitry Samkharadze of orchestrating mobs to beat up opposition supporters, Samkharadze was seen storming toward Khabeishvili.
Archil Talakvadze, a legislator for Georgian Dream, charged in a speech on Tuesday that the protesters were being exploited by “the radical and anti-national political opposition united by political vendetta” to further their own political agenda and were “hoping for events to take a radical turn.”After widespread demonstrations last year, the ruling Georgian Dream party was forced to rescind a measure that was almost exactly like this one. For weeks, police have been using water cannons and tear gas to remove protestors who have been fighting with them during renewed protests around Georgia.
Georgian Dream has enough votes to overcome President Salome Zourabichvili’s veto, despite the president’s commitment to veto the measure. Zourabichvili is becoming more and more at odds with the ruling party. For 14 days, Zourabichvili must take action.
Thousands of people flocked to Tbilisi’s streets over the weekend.
A fight broke out inside parliament during a debate. After Levan Khabeishvili, the leader of the largest opposition party United National Movement, accused Georgian Dream MP Dimitry Samkharadze of orchestrating mobs to beat up opposition supporters, Samkharadze was seen storming toward Khabeishvili.
Archil Talakvadze, a legislator for Georgian Dream, charged in a speech on Tuesday that the protesters were being exploited by “the radical and anti-national political opposition united by political vendetta” to further their own political agenda and were “hoping for events to take a radical turn.”
The demonstrations, according to United National Movement member Ana Tsitlidze, demonstrated Georgia’s unity “in fighting for its European future.”
The Georgian Dream party “is completely outside the constitution, outside the law, and they are betraying our country’s European future,” according to Giorgi Vashadze, another well-known opposition member.
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