Georgia’s Parliament Passes Foreign Agent Law in Initial Vote
The Parliament of Georgia Approves Bill on Foreign Agents in First Reading
The Parliament of Georgia has approved a bill on foreign agents in the first reading, as reported by Georgia’s media. The approval came with 83 deputies voting for the adoption of the document, with none voting against it. Only representatives of the parliamentary majority took part in the voting process.
During the discussion of the bill, parliament chairman Shalva Papuashvili expelled opposition deputies Levan Khabeishvili, Giorgi Vashadze, Tina Bokuchava, and Ana Natsvlishvili from the hall. Deputies from the ruling Georgian Dream party reacted to the opposition deputies’ speeches with shouts, while opposition deputies knocked on tables and chanted “No to Russian law” during speeches from members of the parliamentary majority.
The bill, officially titled “On Transparency of Foreign Influence,” was submitted for the second time by the ruling Georgian Dream party. It was initially withdrawn in March 2023 following widespread protests.
Despite the bill’s approval, protests against its adoption have been ongoing for the third consecutive day near the parliament building in Georgia. The situation remains tense as both supporters and opponents of the bill continue to voice their concerns and opinions on the matter.
