Georgian Parliament in Tbilisi Overrides Presidential Veto on Controversial 'Foreign Agents' Law with 84 Votes

May 28, 2024, 03:24 PM

The Georgian Parliament has overridden President Salome Zourabichvili's veto on the controversial 'foreign agents' law, which mandates that organizations receiving over 20% of their funding from abroad must register as foreign agents. The decision, passed with 84 votes in favor and 4 against at 18:58, has sparked massive protests in Tbilisi and raised concerns about the country's democratic trajectory and EU membership prospects. Critics argue that the law, inspired by Russian legislation, will stifle media freedom and civil society. Despite significant domestic and international opposition, the ruling Georgian Dream party pushed the legislation through with the aid of masked men, with the law set to come into force soon.