Georgia’s parliament was thrown into chaos on Monday after a faction leader from the ruling Georgian Dream party was punched in the face while debating a controversial “foreign agent” law.
A video obtained by Fox News Digital shows Mamuka Mdinaradze, 45, being punched in the face by opposition lawmaker Aleko Elisashvili, 46, while speaking in the chamber.
Mr Mdinaradze, the architect of the bill, can be seen flipping out as several other MPs join in the melee. Video footage shows members of opposing parties jumping up from their desks and throwing punches. Demonstrators then cheered Mr. Elisashvili outside the parliament building.
Georgia’s parliament descends into chaos after a lawmaker is beaten by an opposition lawmaker. (East 2 West)
The “foreign agent” bill is controversial in Georgia, and has been criticized by other countries as a “Putin-style” import from Russia. A draft proposal submitted last week would require media outlets and nonprofit organizations to register as foreign-influenced if they receive more than 20% of their budget from abroad.
The measure is almost identical to a proposal that the ruling Georgian Dream party was under pressure to withdraw a year ago after massive street protests.
The Georgian Dream party said the law was needed to fight what it called “pseudo-liberal values” imposed by foreigners and promote transparency. Georgian critics liken the bill to the Kremlin’s efforts to crack down on dissidents, calling it the “Russia law.”
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Opponents also argue that the law will make it harder for Georgia to achieve its long-sought goal of joining the European Union last year.
The Georgian Dream party has said it wants Georgia to join the EU and NATO, but is seen as deepening ties with Russia.
Law enforcement officers block a road during a protest against the “Foreign Agents” bill in Tbilisi, Georgia, April 15, 2024. (Reuters/Irakli Gedenidze)
Meanwhile, the EU said the “foreign agent” law was incompatible with the bloc’s values.
EU foreign policy spokesperson Peter Stano said last week: “Creating and maintaining an enabling environment for civil society organizations and ensuring freedom of the press is at the core of democracy. This is also critical to the EU accession process. It’s important.”
Monday’s scuffle occurred as Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze was meeting with ambassadors from the European Union, Britain and the United States to discuss the bill.
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If the law passes parliament, President Salome Zurabichvili will veto it, MP Jirogi Mskiladze said. But that veto may not last long. Zurabichvili’s term ends this year, and based on constitutional amendments, the next president will be nominated by an electoral college that includes all members of parliament.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
