Georgia’s Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, has reiterated his commitment to passing a contentious “foreign influence” law despite persistent protests gripping the streets of Tbilisi. In a televised address on Monday evening, Kobakhidze affirmed that the Parliament of Georgia would proceed with the legislation in its third reading, citing the will of the majority of the population.
The proposed law, which has sparked outrage both domestically and internationally, mandates that organizations receiving over 20% of their funding from abroad register as agents of foreign influence. Critics have likened the bill to measures implemented by the Kremlin to suppress independent media and human rights groups, dubbing it the “Russian law.”
The announcement comes amidst a fresh wave of protests, with university students taking a leading role in demonstrations across the capital. Amid chants of “Georgia!” and waving of Georgian and European Union flags, students declared a strike and marched towards the country’s parliament, vowing to continue their protest until their demands are met.
However, the protests have not deterred the ruling Georgian Dream party, which holds a parliamentary majority, from pushing forward with the legislation. Despite opposition from President Salome Zourabichvili, who has vowed to veto the law, Georgian Dream appears poised to override any such veto.
The proposed law has drawn condemnation from various quarters, including the opposition, the EU, and international rights groups, who have labeled it as undemocratic. The European Union, which Georgia aspires to join, has warned that the passage of the law could jeopardize the country’s membership process.
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