![]() ![]() The chair of Georgian Dream’s parliamentary faction, Mamuka Mdinaradze assured critics on Thursday that the bill will be withdrawn on second plenary hearing on March 21.īrussels Latest news, analysis and comment from POLITICO’s editors and guest writers in Europe. The ruling party however insisted that the bills would ensure more transparency about the financing of media and organizations, and was therefore “European.” officials had warned that adoption of any of the bills would harm Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations. ![]() Despite their assurances that the bill cannot be dubbed as a “Russian law” - because it’s American - critics say it’s even more dangerous in the Georgian context.īoth EU and U.S. in 1938, can be withdrawn by its signatories. The second bill, which according to its initiators is a copy of the American FARA (Foreign Agents Registration Act) enacted in the U.S. In order to kill the bill, the parliament needs to hold a second plenary hearing. MPs cannot simply withdraw the bill they have already passed by first hearing on Wednesday. There are two separate but similar versions of foreign agent bills initiated in the parliament. Police arrested 66 people overnight according to official reports | AFP via Getty Images In a joint statement with People’s Power, a group of former ruling party MPs notorious for their anti-western positions, Georgian Dream vowed to drop the bill “unconditionally.”īut many are taking the news with a pinch of salt, planning further demonstrations until the promises are delivered and arrested protesters are released. On Thursday, Georgians awoke to learn that the ruling party was withdrawing the bill. “They can’t erase our yearning for freedom from our brains, they can’t rip it off our hearts. “I am very angry, this government needs to go,” she said, adding that “Georgia’s future is being decided in Ukraine.” Thousands of protesters were dispersed by riot police on Wednesday in Tbilisi, Georgia | Dato Parulava for POLITICO “Are they arresting us for not wanting to adopt the mentality of our enemy?” she asked frustratedly, confident that the adoption of the bill was the government’s calculated move to establish Russian-style governance. We should be more like Ukraine and fight for it like they do,” he said, adding that the “foreign agent” bill was an open door leading to Russia.įifty-eight-year-old Cici Cicvaia also came with a Ukrainian flag, waving it as protesters urged each other to stand strong. “I’m wearing this because Ukraine fights the most for its European integration. Twenty-year-old Achiko Svanadze was wearing a facemask with the Ukrainian flag printed on it - a practical and political move all rolled up in one. Several protesters carried the Ukrainian flag - seeing parallels between their struggle in Tbilisi and Kyiv’s pro-EU ambitions being thwarted by Moscow. Many, including journalists, reported mistreatment by police. The face-off continued throughout the night as many protesters returned after the first round of dispersals. Police arrested 66 people overnight according to official reports. I am Georgian and Russia is an occupier,” she said. I don’t want Russia to be our ally in any form. ![]() Having a Georgian flag wrapped around her body, she was yelling back at the riot police as they slowly crunched forward. “I can’t find my friends, they are 13 and 16,” said 16-year-old Salome Kenchiashvili with tears welling in her eyes, as gas seeped through her goggles. BS45PCBAn5- POLITICOEurope March 8, 2023 Several thousand were demonstrating in Georgia against a controversial bill, widely believed to be aimed at silencing the Georgian government's critics. Riot police dispersed protesters in Tbilisi with water cannons and tear gas. ![]()
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