Salome Zourabichvili: Georgian President promised journalists that she would use her right and veto the law « On Transparency of Foreign Influence, » which was submitted to Parliament by the Power of the People faction.
Salome Zourabichvili « I am categorically against the adoption by the Parliament of the law on foreign agents, the discussion of which should begin shortly. If this law is passed, I will use my right to veto it since adopting such a law will separate Georgia from Europe, » she said.
The bill was submitted to Parliament in mid-February. Its authors propose to introduce registration as agents of foreign influence of non-commercial legal entities and mass media whose income (more than 20%) comes from abroad.
According to the bill, everyone assumed an agent of foreign influence must be registered in the database of foreign agents of the state register. When registering, you will need to reflect the income received. In addition, according to the draft law, organizations must fill out financial declarations annually.
The bill gives the Ministry of Justice of Georgia the right to investigate to identify an agent of foreign influence. In addition, there are penalties for violating the provisions of the bill. In particular, the organization will be fined 25,000 lari ($9,500) for evading registration as an agent of foreign influence or failing to complete a declaration.
US and EU representatives advised the Georgian Parliament to refuse to adopt a law on foreign agents. This would lead to even greater polarization of political forces in Georgia.
Irakli Kobakhidze, chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party, said last week that the parliamentary majority would support adopting the law on foreign agents. However, the opposition intends to start mass protests in March against the adoption of the law « On the transparency of foreign influence » by the Parliament.
