Georgian parliament faces turmoil over controversial 'Russian' bill
A fierce exchange of words took place in the Georgian parliament during the consideration of President Salome Zurabishvili's veto against the controversial bill on so-called foreign agents. A crowd of opponents of the bill is gathering outside the parliament building, which is guarded by police.
Georgian parliament debate over controversial bill
Opposition representatives expressed their outrage, accusing the ruling Georgian Dream party of selling out the country. Members of this party refuted these accusations, claiming their actions align with the national interest.
Mtvari TV reports that Georgian Dream members with connections to big business met on Tuesday with oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili. Ivanishvili is the party's founder and honorary chairman. The meeting was to discuss the current situation.
Since April, mass demonstrations have taken place in Georgia against the bill pushed by Georgian Dream members. This bill is often referred to as the "Russian" bill. Several protests are planned across the country on Tuesday.
In the late morning, around the parliament in Tbilisi, opponents of the bill began to gather and chanted, "No to the Russian bill!" according to Apsny.ge. Police are guarding all entrances to the parliament.
NewsGeorgia predicts that the number of protesters will increase.
"Russian-style governance model"
Critics of the bill believe that its adoption constitutes a step backward for Georgia's future. They argue that it renounces the country's pursuit of joining the European Union and NATO adds Apsny.ge.
President Zurabishvili, returning the vetoed bill to parliament, emphasized that it is inconsistent with the constitution. She stated that its improvement is impossible and proposed that the bill be in effect for only one day from the moment it comes into force.
Foreign partners of Georgia are appealing to the parliament in Tbilisi not to override the veto and to abandon the bill.
According to critics, the new regulations will allow the authorities to dismantle civil society, introducing an authoritarian governance model in the style of Russia.
The Georgian Dream party has enough votes to override the veto.
