During a heated parliamentary debate over a controversial foreign influence law, water was poured on Georgian opposition lawmaker Giorgi Vashadze while he delivered&nbsp;his speech.

Undeterred, Vashadze continued, stating, "This water will not harm me, and the Georgian people will not be harmed by the traitor's way you have chosen."

The incident occurred as the Georgian parliament debated the divisive "foreign agents" bill, which has sparked weeks of massive protests and raised concerns in the West.

President Salome Zourabichvili's vetoed the bill on May 18 but the parliament, dominated by the ruling Georgian Dream party, overrode the veto with an 84-4 vote.

The bill mandates that media and nonprofit organisations register as foreign agents if they receive more than 20 per cent of their funding from abroad.

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Critics argue that the legislation mirrors restrictive measures in Russia and jeopardises Georgia's aspirations to join the European Union.

Zourabichvili has warned that the bill endangers Georgia's future and hinders "the path towards becoming a full member of the free and democratic world."&nbsp;

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◾ <a href="https://twitter.com/GeorgianDream41?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GeorgianDream41</a> MP Irma Zavradashvili poured water on Giorgi Vashadze in <a href="https://twitter.com/Geoparliament?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Geoparliament</a>. 
 
◾"This is the way of traitors who have reached savagery" - <a href="https://twitter.com/vashadze_giorgi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@vashadze_giorgi</a> responded to Zavradashvili's behavior 
 
2023, <a href="https://twitter.com/Transparency_GE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Transparency_GE</a> about Zavradashvili: 
📌<a href="https://t.co/xJOpQCpg1e">https://t.co/xJOpQCpg1e</a> <a href="https://t.co/weQgQenF2L">pic.twitter.com/weQgQenF2L</a>
— ბათუმელები • Batumelebi.ge (@Batumelebi_ge) <a href="https://twitter.com/Batumelebi_ge/status/1795462531223298495?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 28, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Following the veto override, the president has five days to sign the bill into law, or the parliament speaker will do so.

Outside the parliament, opponents of the bill rallied, chanting "Slaves!" and later marched past Georgian Dream headquarters.

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The government defended the bill as necessary to protect the nation from harmful foreign influences. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze reportedly argued that the law would bolster Georgia's EU membership prospects, stating, "The law on transparency will create better grounds for ensuring the membership of Georgia in the EU."

<h2>US condemns foreign influence bill&nbsp;</h2>

The EU's foreign policy arm and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken have both criticised the law. Blinken announced travel sanctions against Georgian officials.

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Protests in Tbilisi have continued, with demonstrators clashing with police, who have resorted to tear gas and water cannons.

Tensions between Russia and Georgia have simmered since a brief war in 2008. The status of the breakaway province of South Ossetia remains a contentious issue.

(With inputs from agencies)

During a heated parliamentary debate over a controversial foreign influence law, water was poured on Georgian opposition lawmaker Giorgi Vashadze while he delivered his speech.

During a heated parliamentary debate over a controversial foreign influence law, water was poured on Georgian opposition lawmaker Giorgi Vashadze while he delivered his speech. Undeterred, Vashadze continued, stating, "This water will not harm me, and the Georgian people will not be harmed by the traitor's way you have chosen." The incident occurred as the Georgian parliament debated the divisive "foreign agents" bill, which has sparked weeks of massive protests and raised concerns in the West. President Salome Zourabichvili's vetoed the bill on May 18 but the parliament, dominated by the ruling Georgian Dream party, overrode the veto with an 84-4 vote. The bill mandates that media and nonprofit organisations register as foreign agents if they receive more than 20 per cent of their funding from abroad. Also Read | Brazil's Gol Airlines begins talks with rival Azul to explore opportunities Critics argue that the legislation mirrors restrictive measures in Russia and jeopardises Georgia's aspirations to join the European Union. Zourabichvili has warned that the bill endangers Georgia's future and hinders "the path towards becoming a full member of the free and democratic world." ◾ @GeorgianDream41 MP Irma Zavradashvili poured water on Giorgi Vashadze in @Geoparliament. ◾"This is the way of traitors who have reached savagery" - @vashadze_giorgi responded to Zavradashvili's behavior 2023, @Transparency_GE about Zavradashvili: 📌https://t.co/xJOpQCpg1e pic.twitter.com/weQgQenF2L — ბათუმელები • Batumelebi.ge (@Batumelebi_ge) May 28, 2024 × Following the veto override, the president has five days to sign the bill into law, or the parliament speaker will do so. Outside the parliament, opponents of the bill rallied, chanting "Slaves!" and later marched past Georgian Dream headquarters. Also Read | US judge rejects Amazon's bid to dismiss FTC lawsuit over Prime enrolments The government defended the bill as necessary to protect the nation from harmful foreign influences. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze reportedly argued that the law would bolster Georgia's EU membership prospects, stating, "The law on transparency will create better grounds for ensuring the membership of Georgia in the EU." US condemns foreign influence bill The EU's foreign policy arm and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken have both criticised the law. Blinken announced travel sanctions against Georgian officials. Watch | Russia-Ukraine war: Ukraine should be allowed to hit sites in Russia: Macron, Scholz × Protests in Tbilisi have continued, with demonstrators clashing with police, who have resorted to tear gas and water cannons. Tensions between Russia and Georgia have simmered since a brief war in 2008. The status of the breakaway province of South Ossetia remains a contentious issue. (With inputs from agencies)

WATCH: Water thrown on Georgian leader during fiery Parliamentary debate on foreign influence law

Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili vetoed the draft "foreign influence" or so-called "Russian law" that provoked massive protests for weeks.

The law had also invited sharp criticism from Brussels as it warned that the particular measure would vandalise Tbilisi's European aspirations.

"Today I vetoed a Russian law. This law is Russian in its essence and spirit," she said in a televised statement, speaking about the bill that critics describe as resembling Russian legislation used to silence dissent.

"It contradicts our constitution and all European standards, therefore it represents an obstacle to our European path," she added.

Zourabichvili had previously stated that she would veto the bill after saying that she considered the law “unacceptable.”

However, her decision can be rescinded by a second vote in parliament, which Georgia's ruling party and its allies majorly control.

As per TASS reports, the president said that her veto was legally sound and that it would be handed over to parliament on Saturday (May 18).

"This law must be repealed," she said.

Mass protests erupted across the Georgian capital Tbilisi over the past month after the first reading of the draft law was passed in parliament.

The so-called ‘foreign agents’ law requires organisations, including media outlets, nonprofits and other non-governmental organisations receiving more than 20 per cent of their funding from abroad to register as bodies “pursuing the interests of a foreign power.”&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-georgia-to-pass-foreign-agents-bill-amid-protests-what-is-it-about-721338">Also read: Explained: Georgia adopts ‘foreign agents’ law amid protests. What is it about?</a>

<h2>Mass protests, student walkout</h2>

Since April, thousands of Georgians have staged near-nightly protests against the proposed legislation.&nbsp;

Earlier on Monday (May 13), hundreds of university students in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi walked out of classes and joined thousands of protesters opposing the bill.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/georgia-adopts-controversial-foreign-agents-law-amid-brawls-and-protests-721374">Also read: Georgia adopts controversial ‘foreign agents’ law amid brawls and protests</a>

Last week, several thousand protesters staged an all-night rally outside parliament but failed to prevent lawmakers from entering on Monday after the MPs managed to access the building from the back and pushed the bill through a parliamentary legal committee in less than two minutes.&nbsp;

The government, however, has argued that the law is needed to promote transparency, combat “pseudo-liberal values” promoted by foreigners and preserve the country’s sovereignty.

(With inputs from agencies)

Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili vetoed the draft "foreign influence" or so-called "Russian law" that provoked massive protests for weeks. The law had also invited sharp criticism from Brussels as it warned that the particular measure would vandalise Tbilisi's European aspirations.

Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili vetoed the draft "foreign influence" or so-called "Russian law" that provoked massive protests for weeks. The law had also invited sharp criticism from Brussels as it warned that the particular measure would vandalise Tbilisi's European aspirations. "Today I vetoed a Russian law. This law is Russian in its essence and spirit," she said in a televised statement, speaking about the bill that critics describe as resembling Russian legislation used to silence dissent. "It contradicts our constitution and all European standards, therefore it represents an obstacle to our European path," she added. Zourabichvili had previously stated that she would veto the bill after saying that she considered the law “unacceptable.” However, her decision can be rescinded by a second vote in parliament, which Georgia's ruling party and its allies majorly control. As per TASS reports, the president said that her veto was legally sound and that it would be handed over to parliament on Saturday (May 18). "This law must be repealed," she said. Mass protests erupted across the Georgian capital Tbilisi over the past month after the first reading of the draft law was passed in parliament. The so-called ‘foreign agents’ law requires organisations, including media outlets, nonprofits and other non-governmental organisations receiving more than 20 per cent of their funding from abroad to register as bodies “pursuing the interests of a foreign power.” Also read: Explained: Georgia adopts ‘foreign agents’ law amid protests. What is it about? Mass protests, student walkout Since April, thousands of Georgians have staged near-nightly protests against the proposed legislation. Earlier on Monday (May 13), hundreds of university students in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi walked out of classes and joined thousands of protesters opposing the bill. Also read: Georgia adopts controversial ‘foreign agents’ law amid brawls and protests Last week, several thousand protesters staged an all-night rally outside parliament but failed to prevent lawmakers from entering on Monday after the MPs managed to access the building from the back and pushed the bill through a parliamentary legal committee in less than two minutes. The government, however, has argued that the law is needed to promote transparency, combat “pseudo-liberal values” promoted by foreigners and preserve the country’s sovereignty. (With inputs from agencies)

Georgia’s ‘foreign agents’ bill: President vetoes controversial law after weeks of protests

China has cancelled planned TED Talks that were set to take place in the city of Guangzhou. As per reports, this was done over concerns that they were associated with a foreign non-governmental organisation.&nbsp;

The talks which were planned for August 13 would have been the first since the start of the Covid pandemic that came with large-scale restrictions in China.

<h2>TEDxGuangzhou</h2>

The schedule of the TEDxGuangzhou 2023 conference, as per the South China Morning Post (SCMP), included a dozen talks by artists, researchers, campus anti-bullying advocates and entrepreneurs.&nbsp;

As per the report, the event brochure also advertised small-scale discussions and workshops.

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On Monday, in a post on WeChat — China's alternative to WhatsApp — the organisers said that the Guangzhou police's office for the management of foreign non-governmental organisations has told them to "establish a domestic representative office" or apply for a temporary permit to comply with the law. &nbsp;

However, the local police are yet to issue a statement.

<h2>What the organisation said</h2>

TEDxGuangzhou has reportedly rejected the police's characterisation of associations with a foreign non-governmental organisation and said that they "are a group of local volunteers who occasionally come together to plan some activities."

"We are not an 'organisation', and there is no employment or remuneration relationship between us or with TED. Therefore, we do not fall under the jurisdiction of this law, which pertains to foreign NGOs registered overseas that wish to conduct business in China."

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In spite of this, fearing legal consequences, the organisers said that they were looking at the possibility of obtaining a temporary permit.

However, they warned that it was difficult to obtain the permit at such short notice because it requires a written agreement between TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) a North American non-profit media organisation, and its Chinese partners.

<h2>China worries about "foreign influence"</h2>

SCMP reports that the intervention comes as China sharpens its legal tools to fight "foreign infiltration."

In April 2021, China adopted an anti-espionage regulation that seeks to prevent "foreign infiltration" in key fields and, as per a PTI report, under it, the country's national security authority was to draw up lists of companies and organisations that it deemed susceptible to infiltration.

(With inputs from agencies)

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China has cancelled planned TED Talks that were set to take place in the city of Guangzhou. As per reports, this was done over concerns that they were associated with a foreign non-governmental organisation.

China has cancelled planned TED Talks that were set to take place in the city of Guangzhou. As per reports, this was done over concerns that they were associated with a foreign non-governmental organisation. The talks which were planned for August 13 would have been the first since the start of the Covid pandemic that came with large-scale restrictions in China. TEDxGuangzhou The schedule of the TEDxGuangzhou 2023 conference, as per the South China Morning Post (SCMP), included a dozen talks by artists, researchers, campus anti-bullying advocates and entrepreneurs. As per the report, the event brochure also advertised small-scale discussions and workshops. Also read | Chinese Manufacturing activity contracts for 4th straight month in July On Monday, in a post on WeChat — China's alternative to WhatsApp — the organisers said that the Guangzhou police's office for the management of foreign non-governmental organisations has told them to "establish a domestic representative office" or apply for a temporary permit to comply with the law. However, the local police are yet to issue a statement. What the organisation said TEDxGuangzhou has reportedly rejected the police's characterisation of associations with a foreign non-governmental organisation and said that they "are a group of local volunteers who occasionally come together to plan some activities." "We are not an 'organisation', and there is no employment or remuneration relationship between us or with TED. Therefore, we do not fall under the jurisdiction of this law, which pertains to foreign NGOs registered overseas that wish to conduct business in China." Also read | China's Xi examines Western Theatre Command with focus on 'air defence' In spite of this, fearing legal consequences, the organisers said that they were looking at the possibility of obtaining a temporary permit. However, they warned that it was difficult to obtain the permit at such short notice because it requires a written agreement between TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) a North American non-profit media organisation, and its Chinese partners. China worries about "foreign influence" SCMP reports that the intervention comes as China sharpens its legal tools to fight "foreign infiltration." In April 2021, China adopted an anti-espionage regulation that seeks to prevent "foreign infiltration" in key fields and, as per a PTI report, under it, the country's national security authority was to draw up lists of companies and organisations that it deemed susceptible to infiltration. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Chinese city Guangzhou cancels TEDx talks over fears of 'foreign infiltration'

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