The ruling Georgian Dream party overrode a veto from President Salome Zourabichvili on Tuesday, allowing a controversial piece of “foreign influence” legislation to become law. The parliament displayed a significant majority, casting 66 votes in favor of overriding the veto and further solidifying their stance with an 84-4 vote in favor of the bill, which mandates that NGOs and media entities receiving 20 percent or more of their funding from foreign sources register as “foreign agents.” Should these organizations fail to comply, they may face fines and disclosures that could jeopardize journalistic independence.
This bill’s passage follows a series of intense protests in Georgia, mainly within the capital of Tbilisi. Earlier this month, the lawmakers had initially approved the proposal, despite it being reintroduced this year after significant public backlash led to its withdrawal in 2023. The protestors were not only opposing the bill but also commemorating the country’s independence day, amplifying their concerns regarding the infringement of democratic freedoms.
International reactions have been notably critical. The United States had already approved visa restrictions on Georgian leadership in anticipation of the bill’s approval, condemning it as a “Kremlin-styled” measure designed to suppress free speech and debate. Similarly, President Zourabichvili described the bill as “fundamentally Russian” and a significant barrier to Georgia’s “European path,” echoing the sentiments of various Western critics.
The Georgian Dream Party, conversely, has stood by the legislation, arguing that it is essential for protecting the country’s democracy from the influence of foreign powers. However, critics argue that such a move could hinder Georgia’s ambitions to join NATO and other international coalitions dedicated to democratic governance and values.
For more details on this unfolding situation, you can read the original report here.