This article was originally published in English
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili has said she would veto the law if it passes parliament, but the ruling party can override that veto.
ADVERTISING
Thousands of people in Georgia have once again taken to the streets of the capital, Tbilisi, to protest against what they call the “transparency of foreign influence” law. Protesters fear that the legislation undermine democracy and derail the country’s chances of joining the European Union.
The controversial bill requires media outlets and nonprofits to register as ‘entities under foreign influence’ if they receive more than 20% of their financing from abroad.
“I think now we have the most important and crucial fight. Either we save our country right now and maintain our European path, or we will lose our homeland. This is what I feel now,” said activist Ana Subeliani.
“This energy and faith, the number of young people in the process, They give me hope that we will achieve victory“he added.
Russia has similar legislation
Critics have called it “the Russian law” because Moscow uses similar legislation to stigmatize those media and organizations that do not follow the same political line as the Kremlin.
But despite the great public opposition to the lawGeorgia’s ruling party, Georgian Dream, appears determined to move forward with the law.
“They can’t even name a single argument why this law is Russian or bad. Everyone says they don’t like the name. When there is funding, there are also interests behind“said parliamentary majority leader Mamuka Mdinaradze of Georgian Dream.
Although the country’s president has said she would veto the law if it is approved by Parliament, the ruling party can override that veto gathering 76 votes. In this case, the President of Parliament could promulgate it and make it law.
