TBILISI, Georgia (AP) – Georgia has been embroiled in massive protests over proposed legislation that critics see as a threat to media freedom and the country’s aspirations to join the European Union. There is.
Below is a summary of the bill and the protests it has sparked.
Georgia’s ruling party succumbs to mass street protests as it seeks closer ties with the EU
What is the new bill?
The bill would require media outlets, non-governmental organizations and other non-profit organizations to register as “promoting foreign interests” if they receive 20% or more of their funding from abroad.
Parliament approved the bill’s second reading on Wednesday, with a final third reading scheduled for later this month.
The proposed bill is almost identical to one that the ruling Georgian Dream party was under pressure to withdraw last year after street protests.
What are the bill’s supporters and opponents saying?
The ruling party claims the bill is necessary to stem harmful foreign influence on the country’s politics and prevent unidentified foreign actors from attempting to destabilize the country’s politics. .
Opposition parties have denounced the bill as a “Russian law” as the Kremlin uses similar legislation to stigmatize independent media outlets and organizations critical of the Kremlin. Opponents of the bill argue that the fact that it is currently being submitted to parliament is a sign of Russian government influence over Georgia. They fear this could impede the country’s long-held desire to join the European Union.
Georgian President Salome Zurabichvili, who is at odds with the ruling party, has vowed to veto the law, but Georgian Dream has secured a sufficient majority to override the presidential veto. ing.
What is the relationship between Russia and Georgia?
Relations between Russia and Georgia have been tense and turbulent since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
In August 2008, Russia fought a brief war with Georgia, which unsuccessfully tried to regain control of the breakaway South Ossetia region. Moscow subsequently recognized South Ossetia and another separatist region, Abkhazia, as independent states and strengthened its military presence there. Most people around the world consider both breakaway regions to be part of the former Soviet republic of Georgia.
Tbilisi has severed diplomatic ties with Moscow, and despite improved relations between Russia and Georgia in recent years, the separatist region’s status remains a major irritation.
The opposition United National Movement has accused Georgian Dream, founded by Russian billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, of serving Moscow’s interests, an accusation the ruling party vehemently denies. There is.
What happened to the protests?
For several days in a row, thousands of demonstrators surrounded the Capitol building in an attempt to block the bill’s passage, leading to scuffles with police.
Police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse the crowd. More than 60 demonstrators were arrested and several were injured. Among the injured was Levan Haveishvili, chairman of the United National Movement.
Parliament canceled its scheduled session on Thursday, citing damage to the building during Wednesday’s protests.
What is the EU’s position?
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EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell described the parliament’s move as a “very worrying development” and warned that “the final adoption of this bill will have a negative impact on Georgia’s progress on the EU path”. .
“This law is not in line with the EU’s core norms and values,” Borrell said in a statement last month. “The proposed bill could limit the ability of civil society and the press to operate freely, restrict freedom of expression, and unfairly stigmatize organizations that benefit Georgians.”
