In the Georgian parliament, a heated argument broke out during the discussion of a controversial bill on “foreign agents.” The leader of the “Citizens Party,” Aleko Elisashvili, attacked Mamuka Mdinaradze, the leader of the parliamentary majority. Elisashvili later spoke to reporters outside the parliament building, declaring that he was ready to endure physical violence for the sake of Georgia. He emphasized the urgency of pushing back against laws that align the country with Russia and stated, “We are either Georgians or slaves – and we are not slaves.”
The bill under consideration stipulates that any independent organization receiving over 20 percent of its funding from abroad must register as an “organization advocating for the interests of a foreign power.” This move has raised concerns about Georgia’s ties to the West, as critics argue that it mirrors oppressive tactics used by Putin’s regime in silencing opposition and poses a threat to Georgia’s aspiration for EU membership.
Despite government efforts to pass this bill, thousands have rallied against it in Tbilisi. The citizens have shown strong sentiment that Georgia should resist authoritarian influences similar to those in Russia. The bill could jeopardize Georgia’s democratic values and align it more closely with Russian interests at the expense of its Western partnerships if passed.
Suspicions exist about covert cooperation between the Georgian government and Kremlin, with concerns that this bill aims to stifle pro-democracy NGOs and independent media funded by Western countries. The clash in parliament reflects a broader debate about Georgia’s direction and its struggle to maintain its democratic identity in light of Russian influence.
