Georgia President Vetoes 'Proxy Law'

Controversial proxy legislation that led to violent protests in Georgia was voted down in Parliament on Tuesday.

Immediately after the vote, President Zurabishvili announced that she would veto, which she has now done. According to Zurabishvili, the law is “Russian in nature” and contradicts the constitution.

However, the presidential veto may be overridden in another vote in Parliament, Reuters reported.

The controversial bill means that organizations that receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad must be classified as representatives of foreign powers.

Criticized by the European Union

The bill sparked widespread demonstrations in Tbilisi and battles in parliament as it was about to be passed. This law has also been criticized by the European Union, among others, which explained that introducing the new law makes it more difficult for Georgia to gain full membership in the Union.

Georgia applied for EU membership on 3 March 2022, and in December 2023 was granted candidate status. But according to the information Financial Times EU officials now want to freeze their applications.

Similarity with Russian law

Criticisms also relate to the fact that the so-called agents law closely resembles a law that already exists in Russia and which Putin and the Kremlin have used to silence critics.

Since the ruling Georgian Dream party took power with a majority in parliament, critics say the country has begun to move closer to Russia.