On Wednesday, Georgian MPs adopted the draft law “On transparency of foreign influence” in the first reading, with 83 votes. The voting on the draft law was preceded by three days of dramatic and emotion-fueled committee and session discussions.
The draft law, initiated for the second time by the Georgian Dream faction, envisages the registration of non-entrepreneurial (non-commercial) legal entities and media outlets whose income – more than 20% – is received from abroad as an organization “carrying out the interests of a foreign power.” According to the project, everyone who is considered an “organization carrying out the interests of a foreign power” must be registered in the public register under the same name in a mandatory manner. At the time of registration, it will be necessary to reflect the income received. At the same time, the organizations will have the obligation to fill out an annual financial declaration.
“We will fight to the end!”, “Russians!”, “Slaves!” participants of the rally against the “Russian Law,” gathered at the back entrance of parliament thus responded the adoption of the draft law in the first reading. In addition, they announced a third night of rallying around the building.
The country’s president, Salome Zurabishvili, has vocally and openly condemned adoption of the law: “On one side are the people of Georgia, on the other 83 MPs who voted against our European future. The people always win!” she said. “Their insistence to push through this law against the will of the population, and despite our partners’ protests, is a direct provocation – a Russian strategy of destabilization.”
“It is clear that 80% of the population supports Georgia’s European future, European integration, and Euro-Atlantic integration, and has done so for the last 30 years. Whoever goes against the will of the Georgian people does not represent the Georgian will, Georgian independence, but something else,” Zurabishvili noted this week.
“All our European and American partners say that [the foreign influence law] will be a hindrance to our European path. I will definitely veto the law. My veto is the voice of the people. Because it’s not just this, it’s the whole strategy that goes against the EU recommendations. Yes, my veto will be overridden in parliament, where the majority can do so. But my veto is the voice of the people, and this voice will be heard loud and clear.”
By Team GT
