About past, present and future of Ukraine

Search mobile

Main Diplomacy In Georgia, a contentious law on foreign agents was passed in the first reading, despite protests

Diplomacy

In Georgia, a contentious law on foreign agents was passed in the first reading, despite protests

542
In Georgia, a contentious law on foreign agents was passed in the first reading, despite protests

Share this article

The Georgian Parliament passed a controversial bill on "foreign agents" in the first reading, sparking mass protests in the country. The document was supported by 83 deputies, with no one voting against it.

This was reported by the Echo of the Caucasus.

The bill will require organizations that receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad to register as foreign agents. It is likely to be adopted by the parliament controlled by the ruling party "Georgian Dream" and its allies.

Opponents argue that this law will harm Georgia's aspirations to join the European Union.

However, Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili has already stated in an interview with the BBC that she will veto the law if it is approved by parliament.

Critics have compared the bill to Russian legislation used by the Kremlin to suppress dissent. Failure to register or submit a financial declaration within the specified deadlines carries a fine of $9,000.

Last year, the bill was withdrawn after two days of mass protests and clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement.

The Odessa Journal
more articles

Top article

The Ministry of Defense has signed a contract for the construction of a service center for repairing drones in Ukraine
War

The Ministry of Defense has signed a contract ...

Dmytro Kuleba: Ukraine and Croatia have agreed to use Croatian ports for exporting Ukrainian grain
Business

Dmytro Kuleba: Ukraine and Croatia have agree ...

New sanctions: Defence industry, political parties and individuals linked to oligarchs
Business

New sanctions: Defence industry, political pa ...

Volodymyr Zelensky: We are preparing for the next Ramstein meeting, we expect solidly grounded decisions to meet the prospects on the battlefield
War

Volodymyr Zelensky: We are preparing for the ...