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| Georgia drops bill on ‘foreign agents’ after two nights of violent protests | Georgia drops bill on ‘foreign agents’ after two nights of violent protests |
| (31 minutes later) | |
| After criticism law was similar to Russian legislation used to stifle dissent, ruling party says it will withdraw bill | After criticism law was similar to Russian legislation used to stifle dissent, ruling party says it will withdraw bill |
| Georgia’s ruling party has said it will drop its bill on “foreign agents” after fierce opposition culminated in two nights of violent protests and criticism that the draft law would limit press freedom and undercut the country’s efforts to become a candidate for EU membership. | Georgia’s ruling party has said it will drop its bill on “foreign agents” after fierce opposition culminated in two nights of violent protests and criticism that the draft law would limit press freedom and undercut the country’s efforts to become a candidate for EU membership. |
| The Georgian Dream party said in a statement it would “unconditionally withdraw the bill we supported without any reservations”. It cited the need to reduce “confrontation” in society. | The Georgian Dream party said in a statement it would “unconditionally withdraw the bill we supported without any reservations”. It cited the need to reduce “confrontation” in society. |
| Thousands of protesters rallied against the legislation, which was regarded as an authoritarian shift and could have undercut Tbilisi’s efforts to join the EU. | |
| On Wednesday, hundreds of police, many carrying riot shields, used water cannon and teargas in clashes with protesters in Georgia’s capital. More than 60 protesters were arrested outside parliament in Tbilisi. | On Wednesday, hundreds of police, many carrying riot shields, used water cannon and teargas in clashes with protesters in Georgia’s capital. More than 60 protesters were arrested outside parliament in Tbilisi. |
| Earlier, thousands had marched in the streets to rally against the proposed law that would require any organisations receiving more than 20% of their funding from overseas to register as “foreign agents” or face substantial fines. | Earlier, thousands had marched in the streets to rally against the proposed law that would require any organisations receiving more than 20% of their funding from overseas to register as “foreign agents” or face substantial fines. |
| Protesters carrying Georgian, EU and Ukrainian flags gathered outside the parliament building and shouted: “No to the Russian law.” Demonstrators also blocked the city’s central Rustaveli Avenue, after a call from the main opposition party, the United National Movement, to gather there. | Protesters carrying Georgian, EU and Ukrainian flags gathered outside the parliament building and shouted: “No to the Russian law.” Demonstrators also blocked the city’s central Rustaveli Avenue, after a call from the main opposition party, the United National Movement, to gather there. |
| The EU delegation to Georgia welcomed the announcement, saying it wanted to “encourage all political leaders in Georgia to resume pro-EU reforms, in an inclusive and constructive way”. | The EU delegation to Georgia welcomed the announcement, saying it wanted to “encourage all political leaders in Georgia to resume pro-EU reforms, in an inclusive and constructive way”. |
| The EU is considering Georgia’s application for candidate status. Previously, the European Council president, Charles Michel, warned that the adoption of the so-called foreign agent bill “was not compatible with the EU path”. | The EU is considering Georgia’s application for candidate status. Previously, the European Council president, Charles Michel, warned that the adoption of the so-called foreign agent bill “was not compatible with the EU path”. |
| Despite the bill withdrawal announcement, members of the Georgian opposition said on Thursday morning that they would stage a new rally in the evening. “There will be a rally today … We need to get clarity on how the governments intend to recall the ball because their statements are vague,” said Tsotne Koberidze, a member of the opposition during a press conference. | |
| Koberidze urged the authorities to release all the protesters that were detained during this week’s protests. | Koberidze urged the authorities to release all the protesters that were detained during this week’s protests. |
| “I will go the rally tonight again, we cannot stop now,” one protester said, speaking on conditions of anonymity. “This is our big chance to end all ties with Russia. We want to be with the EU.” | |
| Anti-Russian feeling is common in Georgia – once part of the Soviet Union – because of longstanding Russian support for two separatist regions and a brief Russian invasion of the country in 2008. Many Georgians back Ukraine in its war against Russia and the latest polls show 85% of Georgians support EU membership. | |
| Speaking on Wednesday evening, Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, called for “democratic success” in Georgia. | Speaking on Wednesday evening, Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, called for “democratic success” in Georgia. |
| “There is no Ukrainian who would not wish success to our friendly Georgia. Democratic success. European success,” he said. “We want to be in the European Union and we will be there. We want Georgia to be in the European Union, and I am sure it will be there. We want Moldova to be in the European Union, and I am sure it will be there. All free nations of Europe deserve this.” | “There is no Ukrainian who would not wish success to our friendly Georgia. Democratic success. European success,” he said. “We want to be in the European Union and we will be there. We want Georgia to be in the European Union, and I am sure it will be there. We want Moldova to be in the European Union, and I am sure it will be there. All free nations of Europe deserve this.” |
| In his Wednesday address, Zelenskiy also voiced gratitude for Georgian support for Ukraine. “I want to thank everyone who has been holding Ukrainian flags in the squares and streets of Georgia these days. I want to express gratitude for our national anthem that was played in Tbilisi. This is respect for Ukraine and I want to express my sincere respect for Georgia.” | In his Wednesday address, Zelenskiy also voiced gratitude for Georgian support for Ukraine. “I want to thank everyone who has been holding Ukrainian flags in the squares and streets of Georgia these days. I want to express gratitude for our national anthem that was played in Tbilisi. This is respect for Ukraine and I want to express my sincere respect for Georgia.” |
| The Georgian Dream party has been the ruling party in Georgia since 2012. The party’s founder, the eccentric Russian-connected billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, is widely believed to exert control over it. | The Georgian Dream party has been the ruling party in Georgia since 2012. The party’s founder, the eccentric Russian-connected billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, is widely believed to exert control over it. |
| While the party had won elections on a pro-western platform, critics argue Ivanishvili is pushing Georgia towards Moscow’s orbit, and despite overwhelming support for Ukraine in the country the government has not joined the west in imposing sanctions on Russia. | |
| “The foreign agent law is just the tip of the iceberg,” said Otar Berov, a Georgian football commentator who attended the protests this week. “It has ignited longstanding anger about the government’s absurd pro-Russian stance … I am not sure protests will stop.” | “The foreign agent law is just the tip of the iceberg,” said Otar Berov, a Georgian football commentator who attended the protests this week. “It has ignited longstanding anger about the government’s absurd pro-Russian stance … I am not sure protests will stop.” |