The law on ‘Transparency of Foreign Influence’ has come into effect in Georgia

The ‘Transparency of Foreign Influence’ law, which was protested in Georgia on the grounds that it would restrict freedom of expression and suppress civil society organizations, came into effect today. The law that caused protests in Georgia has come into effect. In a statement by the Georgian Parliament, it was reported that Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili signed the ‘Transparency of Foreign Influence’ law in the morning. After Papuashvili’s signature, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze convened the cabinet, stating that with the adoption of the law, Georgia has gained its sovereignty and security, emphasizing that the law is now in effect.

‘With the adoption of the law, the oppressors of our country have been defeated,’ Kobakhidze said. ‘Now that the law is in effect, everyone needs to remain calm and set aside unnecessary emotions. I specifically address those who use liberal-fascist methods to hide their disappointment from the failure of protests. The acceptance of the transparency law is neither a victory for the government nor a defeat for those opposing the law. We should not consider this as a defeat of our international partners. But they tried to present it in this way.’

President Zurabishvili had vetoed the law. The ‘Transparency of Foreign Influence’ law, which was approved by the majority in Parliament on May 14, was vetoed by President Salome Zurabishvili on May 18. Zurabishvili’s veto was overridden in a vote in Parliament on May 28.

According to the Georgian Constitution, after the president’s veto is overridden, the speaker of the parliament can approve the law alone.

‘Transparency of Foreign Influence’ bill: The ‘Transparency of Foreign Influence’ bill presented to the parliament in March 2023 by the People’s Power Party, close to the government in Georgia, anticipates that civil society and media organizations in Georgia that receive more than 20% of their annual funding from abroad must register themselves as ‘foreign agents’ every January or face fines.