In the Georgian parliament, a heated fight broke out during the consideration of a controversial bill on “foreign agents.” The leader of the “Citizens Party,” Aleko Elisashvili, attacked the leader of the parliamentary majority Mamuka Mdinaradze. Elisashvili later told reporters outside the parliament building that he had been beaten but that he was willing to endure it for the sake of Georgia. He also added that they must push this law to its limits and there is no time for politeness as they are being dragged directly to Russia.
Opposition leaders also spoke out against the bill, stating that Georgia must choose between being Georgians or slaves and that they are not willing to be slaves. According to the bill, any independent organization that receives more than 20 percent funding from abroad is required to register as an “organization that cares for the interests of a foreign power.” Georgia has long sought closer ties with the West but critics claim that this bill reflects oppressive Russian methods used by Russian President Vladimir Putin and his government in Moscow to silence and intimidate regime opponents. Additionally, critics argue that this legislation undermines Georgia’s bid for EU membership.
Last week, about 8,000 people held a rally in Tbilisi following news of the ruling party’s intention to pass this proposal in May. This bill was revived after falling off the agenda last year following mass protests. Some experts now claim covert cooperation between the government and Moscow – which sees Western funding for pro-democracy NGOs and independent media in Georgia as a threat to its control over power.
