Around 20,000 people demonstrated in Georgia on Wednesday against the vote at first reading of a text on “foreign influence”, compared to a repressive Russian law on “foreign agents” and seen as an obstacle to the European ambitions of this Caucasian country. The bill, which has sparked massive rallies since the beginning of the week, has just reached a major legislative milestone by receiving the approval of deputies from the Georgian Dream party, in power, during a vote boycotted by the opposition.
Two other readings should follow, a process which could take weeks, especially since Georgian President Salomé Zourabichvili, pro-European and in conflict with the government, could then veto. The deputies close to power, however, have a sufficient majority to overcome it. According to its detractors, this legislation is repressive and could threaten the rapprochement of Georgia, a former Soviet republic, with the European Union.
Georgian and European anthems
In the evening, around 20,000 people gathered in front of Parliament, blocking the main artery of the capital in the face of hundreds of riot police, before marching towards the Prime Minister’s offices to demand that he come to meet them. “No to Russian law! “, proclaimed the participants, while the notes of the Georgian national anthem and The Ode to Joyone of the symbols of Europe.
The text is compared to Russian legislation on “foreign agents” used by the Kremlin since 2014 to persecute dissident voices, NGOs and independent media. “It’s a sad day for Georgia because our government has taken another step towards Russia and away from Europe,” said a demonstrator, Makvala Naskidashvili.
The EU very critical
“But I am also happy to see such unity among the youth,” added this 88-year-old woman. These young people “are proud Europeans and will not let anyone spoil their European dream”. Rallies also took place in several other cities across the country, including the second Batumi, according to the Interpress news agency.
If the bill passes, organizations that receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad will be forced to register as “organizations pursuing the interests of a foreign power,” or face fines. . The EU, which granted Georgia candidate status in December, called for the text to be abandoned, saying it goes against the reform program that this country must undertake to progress on the path to independence. membership.
Elections in October
The Georgian government assures that the text only aims for more “transparency” in the financing of organizations. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, who initiated the bill, accused some civil society groups of trying to involve Georgia in the war in Ukraine and of wanting to start a revolution. “Forward, with dignity, towards Europe!” “, he said, while ensuring that Western leaders criticize this text without putting forward any arguments.
Despite hostile declarations to the West, Irakli Kobakhidze said that membership in NATO and the European Union would be his priority. Legislative elections, seen as a test, are planned in the country in October. For her part, President Zourabichvili considered that the measure went against “the will of the population”. “This is a direct provocation, a Russian strategy of destabilization,” she said.