Photo by Giogios Arjavanidzs (AFP/Scanpix).
Tens of thousands of protestors rallied in Sakartvele on Tuesday against a controversial bill to house foreign agents, after parliament approved a second reading of the measure, which Brussels warned would undermine Tbilisi’s bid to join the European Union.
Mass anti-government protests have gripped the Caucasus region since April 9, when Sakartveli’s ruling party announced plans to pass a bill that critics say resembles Russian legislation used to silence Kremlin opponents.
On Wednesday, a day after police officers used tear gas, water cannons and rubber bullets to disperse demonstrators, beating and detaining many, the bill passed a second reading in parliament by 83 votes to 23.
Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, condemned the violence and called on Sakartvel not to stop on the road to Europe.
I observe the situation in Sakartveli with great dismay and condemn the violence in the streets of Tbilisi, she wrote on the social network X. The people of Sakartveli want a European future for their oil. Sakartvel will be in the creek. He must keep the direction on the road to Europe.
According to a reporter from the AFP news agency who was on the spot, dozens of demonstrators gathered in front of the parliament building on Tuesday evening, waving Sakartveli and EU flags. During the rally, as it turned out, the Sakartveli and EU anthems were played.
Later in the evening, the police used pepper spray and water cannons on the demonstrators trying to block the building permit frames.
His senseless violence is a futile protest that will only increase as the public’s anger against our government grows, Tato Gaeiladz, a 20-year-old protester, told AFP.
Sakartvel belongs to Europe, and we will not tolerate Russian constructions and pro-Russian governments, he added.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs stated that the police, in order to restore order, used special measures provided for in the law, pepper spray canisters and water cannons.
Member of the EU
Pan rallies were held all over the country for a week, including Batum, the second largest city in Sakarta, and Kutai, the main city of the western Imereti region.
In October, parliamentary elections will be held in Sakartvel, which are considered an important test of democracy in the former Soviet republic, which aspires to join the EU.
The ruling party of Sakartvelo’s dream defends the construction project, claiming that it aims to increase the transparency of foreign financing of the civic group. She aims for the construction project to be signed by the middle of May.
In order for the project to become a law, it must pass three readings in the parliament and be signed by the president.
Sakartveli President Salom Zurabivili, who is at odds with the ruling party, is expected to veto the legislation, but the ruling party has enough MPs to override the veto.
If the bill is passed, all independent NGOs and media organizations that receive more than 20% of their license from abroad will have to register as an organization acting in the interests of a foreign state.
Last year’s wave of anti-government protests forced Sakartveli to abandon his dream of passing a similar law.
For many years, Sakartvel has sought to strengthen relations with the West, but the current ruling party is accused of trying to bring the former Soviet republics closer to Russia.
Charles Michelis, the president of the European Council, said that the construction project is not in line with Sakartvel’s ambitions for the EU and its accession to the Community. He believes that this will further distance Sakartvel from the EU, instead of bringing it closer.
In December, Brussels granted Sakartveli official candidate status, but stated that before starting official negotiations on membership, Tbilisi must reform the judicial and electoral systems, reduce political polarization, improve media freedom and limit the power of oligarchs.
Sakartveli’s aspiration to become a member of the EU and NATO is confirmed in the country’s constitution and, according to public opinion polls, it is supported by more than 80% of the population.
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