Opponents of the law started gathering at the parliament building already in the morning, and a larger demonstration is expected in the evening.
14:40•Updated 14:40
In the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, tensions are running high again as parliament prepares to give the final stamp to a controversial law on the registration of “foreign interest” media and non-governmental organizations.
Parliament has already approved a law once, according to which media and organizations that receive more than a fifth of their funding from outside Georgia must register as promoters of foreign interests.
President Salome Zurabishvili however, used his veto and did not approve the law. On Tuesday, parliament will vote on whether to overturn the president’s veto.
The bill has sparked widespread protests in Georgia. On Tuesday, protesters started gathering at the parliament building already in the morning, and it is believed that the protest will expand in the evening.
Difficulties on the way to the EU
The law has also been criticized by human rights organizations and many foreign countries. Opponents say the law resembles a similar law in Russia, which has been used to silence critics.
Opponents accuse the government of complicity with Russia. They also fear that the law will hinder Georgia’s efforts to become a member of the EU. Demonstrators have indeed carried EU flags alongside Georgian flags.
For example, Transparency International, an organization that investigates corruption in different countries, tells the news agency AFP. that its assets may be frozen and its activities restricted if the law passes.
The United States has announced that it will impose visa restrictions on those behind the law. EU foreign policy representative Josep Borrell warns that the law will hamper Georgia’s EU aspirations and says that the foreign ministers will discuss how to react to it.
The government says that organizations that receive foreign funding endanger Georgia’s sovereignty.