President Zurabishvili vetoed the ‘Transparency of Foreign Influence’ law

Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili announced that she vetoed the ‘Transparency of Foreign Influence’ law that has caused controversies and protests in the country, stating, ‘This law is a Russian law that contradicts our constitution and hinders the path to Europe.’ The ‘Transparency of Foreign Influence’ law in Georgia has sparked intense debates and violent protests. President Salome Zourabichvili held a press conference today regarding the law. Describing the law as a ‘Russian law,’ Zourabichvili said, ‘Today, I vetoed the Russian law. This law, essentially and spiritually, is a Russian law that contradicts our constitution and all European standards and hinders the path to Europe. The veto is legally correct and will be presented to the parliament today. The law is not subject to any changes or improvements. This law should be repealed.’ President Salome Zourabichvili had announced on May 12 that she was against the bill and would veto it if it passed into law. The bill was enacted on May 14. The ‘Transparency of Foreign Influence’ bill presented by the Georgian Dream party in Georgia received initial approval in the parliament on April 17, second approval on May 1. The bill was passed into law in the parliament on May 14 in the third reading with 84 yes votes against 30 no votes. The ‘Transparency of Foreign Influence’ bill introduced by the ruling Georgian Dream party in March 2023 in Georgia requires civil society and media organizations in Georgia that receive more than 20% of their annual funding from abroad to register themselves as ‘foreign agents’ or face fines every January.