(Tbilisi) Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili announced on Saturday that she had vetoed the controversial law on “foreign influence”, which sparked mass protests in this Caucasian country.
“Today, I veto […] to the law which is Russian in its essence and which contradicts our Constitution,” declared Mr.me Zourabichvili, in a televised speech.
However, this is a highly symbolic veto from the pro-European president, in open conflict with the government, because the ruling “Georgian Dream” party, at the origin of the law, claims to have enough votes in Parliament. to get past it.
Adopted on Tuesday by Parliament, the text is denounced by its detractors as aiming to divert Georgia from Europe and drag it towards Russia.
It sparked mass protests that have lasted for more than a month in Georgia, with thousands of people – mostly young people – taking to the streets in protest.
PHOTO VANO SHLAMOV, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE ARCHIVES
Georgian pro-democracy activists hold signs and flags of Georgia and Europe as they protest against a repressive bill on “foreign influence” outside parliament in Tbilisi, April 15, 2024.
NATO, the European Commission and the UN have condemned this initiative by the Georgian government.
The law requires any NGO or media outlet receiving more than 20% of its funding from abroad to register as an “organization pursuing the interests of a foreign power” and to submit to administrative oversight.
Critics have dubbed it “Russian law” because of its similarity to legislation passed in Russia to suppress opposition.
President Zurabichvili proposed amendments to the bill but warned against any “artificial” negotiations.
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidzé, for his part, said he was ready to discuss possible changes.
A former Soviet republic, Georgia has officially been a candidate for entry into the European Union since December 2023 and it also aspires to join NATO.