Chaos Erupts in Georgia Parliament over Controversial "Foreign Agent" Bill

Lawmakers engaged in a violent brawl inside the Georgian parliament as they debated a contentious bill that would label organizations receiving foreign funding as "foreign agents." Opponents fear the legislation will stifle media freedom and harm Georgia's aspirations to join the European Union.

Amidst heightened tensions, a Georgian parliament committee has rejected President Salome Zourabichvili's veto of the so-called "foreign agents" legislation, sparking a chaotic scene in parliament. The move paves the way for a vote by the full legislature to potentially override the veto.

Critics have vehemently denounced the bill, likening it to measures enacted by the Russian government, and warn that it will severely curtail media freedom and undermine Georgia's pursuit of EU membership. The law mandates news outlets and non-governmental organizations that receive more than 20% of their funding from overseas to register as "carrying out the interests of a foreign power."

Opponents of the bill have taken to the streets in large protests, with demonstrators gathering in the capital, Tbilisi, to voice their concerns. President Zourabichvili and Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze exchanged sharp criticism during an Independence Day ceremony, highlighting the deep divisions over the issue.

The European Union has expressed its disapproval of the proposed law, stating that its adoption would "negatively impact Georgia's progress on the EU path." Critics believe the legislation may be driven by Russian influence, aimed at obstructing Georgia's westward integration.

Meanwhile, the United States has announced that it will impose travel sanctions on Georgian officials "responsible for or complicit in undermining democracy in Georgia." U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed hope that Georgia's leaders will reconsider the bill and prioritize their country's democratic and Euro-Atlantic aspirations.

Supporters of the bill, including the ruling Georgian Dream party, argue that it is necessary to combat harmful foreign influence that threatens to destabilize the country. Maka Bochorishvili, a ruling party member, maintains that the bill will promote stability and peace and should not be seen as anti-European.

However, critics assert that the bill's broad definition of "foreign agent" could be arbitrarily applied to silence dissenting voices and muzzle media criticism of the government. They fear it could create a climate of fear and self-censorship, jeopardizing democratic norms and fundamental freedoms.

As the parliamentary vote on the veto override looms, the future of the "foreign agents" bill remains uncertain. It is a test of Georgia's democratic institutions and its aspirations to align with Western values and institutions. The outcome of the vote will have far-reaching implications for Georgia's political landscape, its relations with the European Union, and its broader geopolitical orientation.