Georgian Parliament Overrides Veto on Foreign Agents Legislation, Sparking Protests and Western Concerns
On May 28, the Georgian parliament made headlines as it overrode President Salome Zourabichvili's veto of the foreign agents legislation, a move that has stirred Western concerns and triggered massive protests. The legislation, which requires media, nongovernmental organizations, and other nonprofits to register if they receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad, has been criticized by Zourabichvili and others for potentially restricting media freedom and impeding Georgia's path to joining the European Union. The president now has five days to endorse the bill; otherwise, the parliament speaker will sign it into law. This decision comes amid escalating tensions between Zourabichvili and the ruling Georgian Dream party, leading to accusations of jeopardizing the country's future and obstructing its democratic aspirations. Despite the veto, the parliament voted 84-4 in favor of dismissing it, triggering a contentious session marred by an incident where a Georgian Dream deputy doused the leader of an opposition party with water. Supporters of the bill argue that it is necessary to counter harmful foreign influences seeking to destabilize Georgia, while opponents, including journalists and activists, view it as a tool to stigmatize and silence dissent ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections. The legislation has drawn comparisons to Russian laws targeting independent media and civil society, fueling further unrest among Georgians who see it as a threat to their democratic values and Western integration. The bill's resemblance to a previously withdrawn version has reignited street protests, prompting clashes between demonstrators and police using tear gas and water cannons. The European Union has expressed concerns over the law's impact on Georgia's path to EU membership, urging the country's leaders to uphold democratic principles and move forward with necessary reforms. In response to the legislation, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced travel sanctions against Georgian officials implicated in undermining democracy, emphasizing the importance of respecting Georgia's democratic and Euro-Atlantic aspirations. While Georgia holds candidate status for EU membership, it faces pressure to address key policy recommendations to advance its bid. The political divide between the ruling Georgian Dream and the opposition United National Movement deepens, with accusations of pro-Russian leanings against the former and allegations of undermining democracy against the latter. Against the backdrop of longstanding tensions between Russia and Georgia, stemming from conflicts over separatist regions and territorial disputes, the recent developments highlight the complex geopolitical dynamics shaping Georgia's domestic landscape and international relations.
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