On May 28, the Georgian parliament successfully overturned President Salome Zourabichvili’s veto against the contentious ‘foreign agents’ bill, indicating a step closer to its enactment.
The legislation calls for the mandatory labeling of organizations with foreign funding as “foreign agents”, drawing parallels to Russian laws aimed at suppressing dissent against the state. After Zourabichvili vetoed the bill on May 18, Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili revealed the ruling party, Georgian Dream, intended to reject the presidential veto.
Following the veto override, the bill will be resent to Zourabichvili who has a five-day period to sign it into law. Should she decline, Papuashvili has the authority to enact the law, thereby ushering it into effect.
The major stipulations of the legislation will be activated 60 days post-enactment, expectedly around the time of Georgia’s parliamentary elections in October—a vote which is largely seen as a judgment on the ‘foreign agents’ legislation and Georgian Dream’s governance direction.
The parliamentary decision to overwrite the veto followed shortly after an announcement from the U.S. about imposing travel bans on officials deemed complicit in “undermining democracy” within Georgia, along with their families.
Additionally, on May 23, U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson submitted a proposal aimed at providing Georgia with military support, trade perks, and visa facilitation if it steers clear of democratic regression and distances itself from the controversial ‘foreign agents’ bill.
A campaign by several EU nations is reportedly underway to impose sanctions on Georgia due to the bill, including a possible suspension of the visa waiver program. Moreover, members of the European Parliament have made calls to hold off Georgia’s candidacyto the EU.
Unswayed, Georgian Dream continues to advance the legislation, while increasing its criticism of the U.S. and EU.
In response to the U.S-imposed travel constraints, Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze, who is also the secretary general of Georgian Dream, classified the U.S. and Georgia as “enemies” on May 25.
“I think that the existing relations (between Georgia and the U.S.) need to be restarted,” stated Kaladze.
Protests have been ongoing for over a month, with protestors determinedly opposing the foreign agents law and the practices of Georgian Dream, turning out by the thousands daily in front of the parliament and throughout the city center.
A significant number of demonstrators convened behind the parliamentary building as lawmakers debated the veto override on May 28.
The vow from protestors to persist in their demonstrations holds strong.
Soon after the parliamentary vote, the European Commission released a statement reaffirming its previous apprehensions over the bill and its potential impacts on Georgian civil society and EU accession ambitions.
“We urge the Georgian authorities to reverse this trend and to return firmly on the EU path. There is still time to change the dynamics—but a strong commitment by the governing authorities is needed,” the European Commission emphasized.
“The EU and its Member States are considering all options to react to these developments.”
Explainer: What’s behind ongoing protests in Georgia?
In recent weeks, nightly gatherings of thousands have been witnessed in front of the Georgian parliament, opposing the controversial foreign agents law that the Georgian Dream party is attempting to pass. A conclusive vote is expected on May 14. The bill proposes to
FAQs
What is the ‘foreign agents’ law in Georgia?
The ‘foreign agents’ law is legislation requiring organizations receiving foreign funding in Georgia to register as “foreign agents,” similar to restrictive measures seen in Russia.
Why did President Salome Zourabichvili veto the law?
President Zourabichvili vetoed the law due to concerns about its implications on democracy and civil liberties in Georgia.
What happens after the Georgian parliament overrules the presidential veto?
The bill will be sent back to the president for signing. If she refuses, the Parliament Speaker can enact it into law, which would come into force 60 days later.
How has the international community responded to the passing of the bill?
The U.S. has imposed travel restrictions on Georgian officials, while EU countries have proposed sanctions including suspending visa-free travel, and there’s consideration to suspend Georgia’s EU candidacy.
What are the implications of the law’s enactment on Georgia’s EU path?
The European Commission has expressed concern that the law could reverse Georgia’s progress toward EU accession and has urged Georgian authorities to commit to the EU path.
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