Georgian parliament rejects presidential veto of ‘foreign agents’ legislation; PM, prez lash out at each other

A Georgian parliament committee, on Monday (May 27) rejected the president’s veto of the highly controversial “foreign agents” legislation, reported the Associated Press, which was passed by lawmakers over two weeks ago despite massive protests and international criticism.

Presidential veto rejected

The move by the parliament’s judiciary committee paves the way for the ruling Georgian Dream party and its allies to vote on a full legislature on Tuesday (May 28) to officially override President Salome Zourabichvili’s veto.

On May 14, Georgia’s parliament adopted the highly controversial “foreign agents” bill, despite weeks of, often violent, protests with many including the country’s president calling it similar to a Russian law used by Moscow to crack down on NGOs and independent news media who are critical of the Kremlin.

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The so-called “foreign agents” law now requires organisations, including media outlets, nonprofits and other NGOs receiving more than 20 per cent of their funding from abroad to register as bodies “pursuing the interests of a foreign power.”

Zourabichvili, who is among the critics of the bill, vetoed the legislation days after it was passed in parliament by lawmakers of the ruling party and its allies who have sufficient votes to override her veto in the chamber.

Georgia’s Independence Day marked by speeches, protests

The rejection of the veto by the Georgian parliament committee comes a day after the country celebrated its independence day with tension running high as Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and the president lashed out at each other over the legislation during the ceremony marking the occasion.

In her speech, Zourabichvili criticised the legislation which threatens the country’s bid to join the European Union.

“As the specter of Russia looms over us, partnership and rapprochement with Europe are the true path to preserving and strengthening our independence and peace,” said the president, on Sunday (May 26) at the ceremony celebrating the 106th anniversary of Tbilisi’s declaration of independence from Moscow.

She added, “Those who sabotage and undermine this path trample upon and damage the peaceful and secure future of our country, hindering the path towards becoming a full member of the free and democratic world.”

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At the same ceremony, the PM praised the country’s development and criticised the president. “It was the unity and reasonable steps of the people and their elected government that gave us the opportunity to maintain peace in the country for the past two years despite existential threats and multiple betrayals, including the betrayal of the president of Georgia,” said Kobakhidze.

Meanwhile, thousands took to the streets of the Georgian capital city of Tbilisi in protest of the “foreign agents” legislation amid reports of clashes between demonstrators and the police.

A report by Reuters citing a poll also said that Georgia’s 3.7 million people back EU accession.However, the foreign arm of the 27-nation bloc said that the adoption of the law “negatively impacts Georgia’s progress on the EU path.”

Last week, the United States announced travel sanctions against Georgian officials “who are responsible for or complicit in undermining democracy in Georgia.” The move has since been criticised by Tbilisi.

(With inputs from agencies)