Georgian President Zurabishvili vetoed the law on so-called “foreign agents,” this became known during a briefing on May 18.
.in_text_content_22 { width: 300px; height: 600px; } @media(min-width: 600px) { .in_text_content_22 { width: 580px; height: 400px; } }
She stated that such a law contradicts the country’s Constitution, as well as European standards.
The law, officially called “On Transparency of Foreign Influence,” was adopted by the Georgian parliament in the third reading on May 14.
There are enough votes in parliament to unblock Zurabishvili’s veto, Western media believe.
The consideration of the document was accompanied by mass protests, harshly dispersed by security forces.
If a civil union in Georgia receives 20% of its funding from abroad, it will be considered an agent of influence of another state and will have to register, name and report accordingly. The law, which was actually copied from the Russian language, caused new protests from part of society and criticism from the West.
The FT wrote that the EU is likely to freeze Georgia’s application for membership if the law on “foreign agents” comes into force.
Georgia applied to join the EU in March 2022 and received candidate status in December 2023.
The next step should be a recommendation from the European Commission to EU governments to begin negotiations on Georgia’s accession to the EU, but this depends on a number of reforms. Brussels has already made it clear: if the law on “foreign agents” is adopted, there will be no recommendations.
The United States may reconsider relations with Georgia in connection with the adoption of a law on “foreign agents,” the White House said. European parliamentarians spoke at the protests in Tbilisi.
Source: Racurs
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.