Georgian president's veto of 'foreign agents' bill amidst national uproar

Georgia's President Salome Zourabichvili has rejected a contentious "foreign agents" bill that led to extensive protests throughout the country.

Zourabichvili had promised to block the bill before, but there is still a possibility that her veto could be overturned by a simple majority in parliament. The bill was passed on Tuesday with 84 lawmakers supporting it and 30 opposing it.

The proposed law would make it mandatory for organizations that receive over 20% of their funding from foreign sources to register as "agents of foreign influence" or risk being fined. Critics argue that the bill is inspired by laws in Russia that have been used by the government to suppress dissent and civil society.

President Zourabichvili expressed strong opposition to the bill, calling it fundamentally Russian in nature and in conflict with both our constitution and European norms. She vetoed the bill on Saturday.

She said the bill must be repealed, suggesting it could prevent the country from joining the European Union. The EU had given similar warnings.

Demonstrators protest against the foreign agents bill in Tbilisi, Georgia on May 13, 2024.

Demonstrators protest against the foreign agents bill in Tbilisi, Georgia on May 13, 2024.

Zurab Tsertsvadze/AP

Georgia officially applied to join the EU in 2022 and was given candidate status in December. This decision was seen as a step to steer the former Soviet republic away from Russia.

Throughout its history, Georgia has found itself stuck between Russia and the Western world. Even though the country gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and surveys indicate that around 80% of Georgians are in favor of joining the EU, its past connections with Moscow continue to hinder its ties with Europe.

Georgia's relationship with Russia is a bit complicated. Although the two countries have not had formal diplomatic relations since Russia's invasion in 2008, Russians living and working in Georgia have lenient visa requirements. This makes it a popular destination for those who escaped conscription in the war in Ukraine.

Credits to previous reporting by CNN's Ekaterine Kadagishvili, Joshua Berlinger, Jessie Gretener, Amy Cassidy, and Christian Edwards.

Editor's P/S:

Georgia's recent rejection of a controversial "foreign agents" bill is a testament to the country's unwavering commitment to democracy and its pursuit of European integration. President Zourabichvili's strong opposition to the bill, which critics likened to repressive laws in Russia, reflects the Georgian people's deep-seated desire for freedom and self-determination. The bill's potential to stifle dissent and civil society sparked widespread protests, demonstrating the Georgian people's determination to safeguard their rights and freedoms.

Georgia's complicated relationship with Russia adds another layer to the situation. Despite severing formal diplomatic ties after Russia's invasion in 2008, Georgia continues to grapple with the legacy of Soviet influence and the presence of Russian citizens within its borders. The country's aspiration to join the European Union underscores its desire to forge closer ties with the West and distance itself from Russia's authoritarian orbit. The rejection of the "foreign agents" bill is a pivotal step in that direction, signaling Georgia's commitment to democratic values and its determination to shape its own destiny.