Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili has rejected the constitutional lawsuit filed by former President Salome Zurabishvili seeking to repeal the “Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence.”
“The law ensures transparency and accountability, reinforcing Georgia’s national sovereignty and stable development.
It aims to inform the public about the funding sources of organizations advocating foreign interests.
Based on these principles, President Kavelashvili decided to reject the lawsuit,” the Presidential Administration stated.
The Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence, enacted on June 3, 2024, requires civil society organizations and media outlets receiving at least 20% of their funding from foreign sources to register as entities pursuing the interests of a foreign power. This legislation has been met with criticism, with some referring to it as the “Russian law” due to its alleged similarities to legislation enacted in Russia in 2012.
Former President Zurabishvili had previously vetoed the law, labeling it as contradictory to the constitution and European standards, and an obstacle to Georgia’s European path. She later filed a lawsuit with the Constitutional Court seeking to repeal the law, arguing its unconstitutionality.
Image: RFL