Georgia’s ruling party, Georgian Dream, withdrew the draft law on foreign agents, which had already been adopted in first reading, from parliament.
Georgians protested to the point where the authorities decided to withdraw the scandalous law on foreign agents. But will it stop the protests?
Just revoke
After two nights of protests and violent dispersal of demonstrators outside the Georgian parliament, Georgian authorities announced they were “withdrawing” the bill on foreign agents. Meanwhile, the opposition said they will continue protests until Georgia takes a “guaranteed pro-Western course.”
In addition, it emerged that the statement of the Georgian ruling coalition to withdraw the draft law adopted in the first reading contradicts the rules of the parliament and is not enforceable.
Georgia online quotes constitutionalist Vakhushti Menabde: “A law adopted in the first reading cannot be revoked.” The expert also recalled that the authorities registered two projects, and promised to withdraw one – exactly the one where it could not be done. At the same time, the second draft, which provides stricter penalties for foreign agents, can be withdrawn if all those who initiated it apply to the parliament with such a request.
Lawyer Lina Gvinianidze says the same. “There is no procedure for withdrawing a draft that has passed the first reading. Such a bill must be voted on and rejected,” she said.
what’s the point
However, the authorities promise that when the “emotional background” subsides, politicians will again try to explain to the citizens of Georgia “why it is important to ensure the transparency of foreign influence in the country.”
The document assumes that a register of “agents of foreign influence” will be created in Georgia. Under the criterion of “agents” fall NPO and media, whose foreign funding is more than 20% of annual income. It is assumed that such organizations will submit an annual declaration. For those who try to avoid registration as an “agent” or do not submit a report, they come to a fine – in the amount of 25 thousand lari – about 9.5 thousand dollars. Officials responsible for identifying foreign agents will be given the right to access personal data of candidates for inclusion in the list.
Western reaction
The EU Delegation to Georgia welcomed Georgian Dream’s decision to withdraw the draft law on foreign agents.
“We welcome the ruling party’s announcement to withdraw the foreign influence transparency bill,” the EU delegation said.
“We call on all Georgian political leaders to restore pro-European reforms in an inclusive and constructive manner in accordance with the 12 priorities so that Georgia can receive candidate status,” the statement said.
opposition against
Opposition protests continued even after the authorities’ decision to withdraw the scandalous bill. Political demands began to be presented at the protests in the center of Tbilisi and, along with the resignation of the government, they demanded early elections.
Opposition politicians appeared on the rostrum, turned to the rally participants and said it was necessary to change the government.
Part of the opposition says they will not disband and the protests will not stop until they are convinced that the path and path to Europe is unshakable.
Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.