Parliament adopts bill On Transparency of Foreign Influence with first...

The legislative piece calls for registration of non-commercial legal entities and media outlets in the country as “pursuing the interests of a foreign power” if they derive more than 20 percent of their funding from abroad, and was supported by 83 MPs in the 150-member lawmaking body.It requires groups “considered to be an organisation pursuing the interests of a foreign power” to be registered in public registry with the status and publicise their received funding.The law empowers the Ministry of Justice to “conduct research and monitor the issue at any time in order to identify organisations pursuing the interests of a foreign power”.The Parliament will have further two hearings of the draft law before it can be approved and enter into force.

I will leave the hall on my own will, - after Gotsiridze’s leave, Usup...

- Roman Gitsiridze, before being kicked out of the session by Okhanashvili, only managed to ask this one question.And the Euro-optimist, together with the rest of the "optimists", found himself outside the door of the meeting hall.Gotsiridze had to rhetorically ask the remaining questions and condemn the unworthy actions of the leader of the session, along with other expelled people (Dekanoidze, Khabeishvili, Vashadze, Manjgaladze...).Gotsiridze would have managed to ask all the questions if he had not given a long introduction. According to him, the law of "agents" in the civilian world is in effect in three countries, USA/Israel/New Zealand, for security and not for transparency.So the Georgian (Russian) draft law is wrong both in terms of time and context.Roman Gotsiridze pointed out to Okhanashvili the potential risks that will follow the possible legalization of the project.How can survive the disabled, displaced or other social groups dependent on international aid, including more than 200 independent regional media?This question remained unanswered.However, Gotsiridze managed to list the countries where the law applies: Russia, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan.

Debate was held in Berlin among the PMs! It has been said: the law isn...

Consideration of the draft law "On transparency of foreign influence" has begun. The legal issues committee of the Parliament is considering the initiative against the background of protests.The rally is taking place at the back entrance of the Parliament of Georgia. Representatives of civil organizations and media are gathered at the site, who have unfurled banners with the inscription "No to the Russian law!" Those present at the rally are protesting the draft law "On the transparency of foreign influence", which is being considered by the legal committee.

The rally is taking place at the back entrance of the Parliament

The police are mobilized on the spot.In addition, it should be noted that in addition to the rally scheduled for the morning, the rally against the bill will be held in front of the Parliament in the evening at 19:00."The fight for the European future of Georgia continues. Don't stay at home, go out. "Russian law" applies to all citizens of Georgia! "Russian law" is a big wall between Georgia and Europe! Yes Europe! Not to the Russian law!" - is written in the information spread by the organizers on the social network.The Parliament starts considering the draft law "On the transparency of foreign influence". The draft submitted by the faction "Georgian Dream" is being discussed today by the Legal Affairs Committee in the first reading.

German Chancellor critical of so-called Foreign Agents bill; hopes Geo...

According to Scholz, it is now very important to organize this process so well that all the necessary criteria for membership are developed.“Judicial and economic reforms are important here, but, above all, also the rule of law and democracy. We know that joining the European Union is not only the government’s aspiration but also the great desire of the citizens of Georgia, the people who support Georgia’s accession to the European Union and the acceleration of this process. That is why supporting European values is crucial, and the European Union and Europe should be very important,” said Olaf Scholz.The German Chancellor believes it is also crucial to discuss problems.“We, like the entire EU, are very critical of the so-called Agents Law, and since this bill has been suspended, we had high hopes that it would no longer be on the agenda. The new bill has remained virtually unchanged. This is almost the same as last year, and we really hope that Georgia and the Georgian Parliament will not adopt this law while taking into account our critical position and the position of the population of Georgia. Therefore, in our conversation, I once again emphasized the importance of civil society organizations and cooperation between the opposition and the government, which is very important for social development,” said Olaf Scholz.At the press conference, the German Chancellor was asked the question: “You commented on the law on Transparency of Foreign Influence and expressed hope that Georgia will not adopt the law in its current form. The Prime Minister of Georgia said that the European Commission also came up with a similar initiative. We observe that the regulations in this area are relevant in Europe, many countries have adopted the same or similar laws. We wonder why European partners are concerned, if the same regulations or similar rules apply in Europe and the USA,” to which Olaf Scholz remarked:“There is no such legislation in the European Union. There is a discussion about establishing transparency in various areas, but this is a completely different concept. This has not yet been decided and most likely will not be decided,” said Olaf Scholz.