Georgian deputies voted 84 votes “for” and 30 votes “against the adoption of the controversial bill. During the protests, thirteen demonstrators were arrested.
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Thousands of Georgians demonstrated on Tuesday May 14 after the adoption by Parliament of a controversial bill on“foreign influence”, inspired by a Russian law. During a third and final reading, deputies voted 84 votes “for” and 30 votes “against”, according to images broadcast by public television. Thirteen demonstrators were arrested “after disobeying police orders”according to the Ministry of the Interior.
The wife of activist David Katsarava said her husband was beaten by police after his arrest. A sign of the ambient tension, elected officials from the majority and the opposition briefly clashed with fists during the debates. Similar fights had already occurred in recent weeks.
Protests against this text, which targets media and NGOs receiving foreign funds, have lasted for more than a month. Georgian President Salomé Zourabichvili, pro-European and former French diplomat in open conflict with the government, is expected to veto the text, but the ruling Georgian Dream party claims to have enough votes to override it.
Shortly before the vote, an EU spokesperson reaffirmed that the adoption of this text would nevertheless constitute a “serious obstacle” on the country’s path to membership of the European Union. The United States also called on Georgia to “change trajectory” after the adoption of the controversial law. Failing this, Washington could “reevaluate” its relations with Georgia.
