Georgia Parliament – a unicameral legislative body constituting 150 members, turned into a hostile battlefield after a legislator bumped into his counterpart with his fist slapping through his head – to convey his dissent over “foreign influence” bill.
#BREAKING #Georgia A brawl broke out in the Georgian parliament as lawmakers discussed a ‘foreign agent’ bill. The ruling party announced plans to reintroduce legislation requiring organizations receiving foreign funds to register as foreign agents or face fines. pic.twitter.com/O0Cso7yoNf
— The National Independent (@NationalIndNews) April 15, 2024
The contentious “foreign agent” bill since the time of its inception has been received with mounting discontent from both the public and the lawmakers. Things only worsened when the leader of the Georgian ruling party – Mumuka Mdinaradze was punched in the face by the opposition legislator – MP Akelo Elisashvili while speaking in the dispatch box in Georgia parliament.
What began as a bill headed by Georgian prime minister – Irakli Kobakhidze and his ruling Georgian Dream party contesting to promote financial transparency in the country, soon spiraled into a vacuum of dissent as the countrymen fear sliding into an authoritarian system.
The bill which was abandoned in the face of mass protests on street last year, was reintroduced in the Georgia parliament as a bill on the “transparency of foreign influence” when the heated brawl erupted screeching many legislators into a physical spat.
Western alliances and European Union have denounced their dissatisfaction over the contents of the bill and also over the extremely hostile Georgian parliamentarian’s mannerisms which can further strain their diplomatic relationship.
Bill which sparked brawl in the Georgia Parliament
Thousands of people demonstrated in the Georgian capital Tbilisi on Monday demanding the withdrawal of a controversial “foreign agent” bill they say is inspired by the laws governing authoritarian Russia to crush public dissent.
The contents of the bill which have sparked numerous stages of retaliation requires non-government organizations and media outlets that receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad to register as an organization serving the interest of a foreign power or face penalties.
Defending the outrageous statehood which the bill is assumed to control, Georgian prime minister proposed the intention behind the bill is to ensure financial transparency of grant recipients. In a statement, Kobakhidze said “it was not clear” why western countries oppose it.
Despite prime minister’s repeated assurances, Georgians have continued voicing their dissent through participatory demonstrations, referring the bill as a “Russian law” manufactured by Georgia parliament to accelerate state-control and curtail freedom of press and expression. The opposition clashing over the ruling party’s intent of proposing the bill to sabotage the country’s chances of joining the E.U
Georgia parliament bill – catalyst for straining foreign relations
Georgia’s ruling Dream party has announced its inclination to join Non-Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and European union (E.U) even though the administration continues bolstering its relations with Russia and spiking an authoritarian debate in its home-country.
European Union under Belgium presidentship has expressed its discontent against Russia for invading Ukraine which is a big enough reason for E.U to strain its relations with Moscow-amiable Georgia. Similarly, United States has shown immense disapproval towards Vladimir Putin and his political empire catalyzing malfunction in its relations with Georgia.
A 2023 poll found more than 80% of Georgia’s 3.7 million population supported joining the EU. Therefore, growing Russia’s influence in Georgia’s legislation is received with nationwide protests, unwavering democratic spirit and anti-Russia demonstrations.
The proposed “foreign influence” bill has been strongly condemned by both EU and the US. Both have said it is incompatible with the country’s democratic model.
Political preparedness for Georgia parliamentary elections
Georgia parliamentary elections are scheduled to take place this year. The ruling Dream Party had a landslide victory in the last elections when it accumulated majority seats in the Parliament, investing itself with legislative power.
This power to make laws has worked scrupulously well for the party legislators up until the foreign agent bill came and wrecked political catastrophe in the country. The opposition party leaders claim the fear which the ruling party face over loosing their political power which has orchestrated the development of the controversial bill.
The bill will entail a hegemonic establishment for the Georgia Dream party members who will face no media oppression which will help them sustain in power forever as the people pronounce is inspired by Russian model of oppression and totalitarianism.
The country people are gearing up for parliamentary election later this year. It is going to be a defining moment for Georgia’s future as a democracy. Considering the reaction which the opposition members have delivered on Monday when the brawl erupted, the odds of the bill receiving a green-light is still inconclusive. But what is certain is the willingness which people of Georgia continue to muster to defeat tyranny and solidify its sovereignty.
