Massive Protests and Western Concerns
For several weeks, there have been huge protests in Georgia. Many people are worried about a new law called the “foreign agents” legislation. This law is causing a lot of concern in Western nations too.
On Tuesday, the Georgian parliament decided to override a veto from President Salome Zourabichvili. The president had said no to the law because she believed it would limit media freedom and hurt Georgia’s chances of joining the European Union.
Ruling Party’s Control
The parliament is controlled by the ruling Georgian Dream party. They did not agree with the president and chose to dismiss her veto. This means they want the law to go ahead despite her objections.
President Zourabichvili has five days to decide what to do next. If she does not endorse the bill, the parliament speaker will sign it into law instead.
The law that the parliament approved earlier this month has some strict requirements. It says that media outlets, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and other nonprofit groups must register as “pursuing the interests of a foreign power” if they get more than 20 percent of their funding from outside Georgia.
President’s Concerns
President Zourabichvili is not happy with this law. She vetoed it on May 18 because she thinks it will harm the nation’s future. She believes the ruling party is making it harder for Georgia to become a full member of the free and democratic world.
The situation in Georgia is tense as the nation grapples with this controversial law. The decision by the parliament to override the president’s veto shows deep divisions within the government. The coming days will be crucial in determining the future of the law and its impact on Georgia’s path towards closer ties with the European Union.
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