Independence Day was celebrated in Georgia on Sunday. The speech was delivered by President Salome Zurabishvili.
Zurabishvili warned Georgians against Russia and emphasized the need for pro-Western policies. Since mid-April, mass protests against the controversial foreign financing law, which the ruling Georgian Dream party is trying to push through, have raged across the country. There was even a fight during the proceedings in parliament.
President of Georgia: Partnership with Europe and America is the way to preserve independence
– Although Georgia’s independence and its European future seem to be in danger, we must not give in to the feeling of hopelessness. This country and its independence are a gift from you, the citizens of this country, Zurabishvili said during her speech. – Partnership and rapprochement with Europe and America is the true way to preserve and strengthen independence and peace – she recalled her position.
What adds to the tragedy of the whole situation is the fact that both sides of the political dispute organized separate Independence Day celebrations.
As previously announced, the president of Georgia vetoed the bill, but ultimately this may not be enough to block it. Georgian Dream has enough MPs to override a presidential veto. On Monday, the local parliament will begin the procedure to override the head of state’s veto.
Dispute over a controversial law
The Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence is called the “Law on Foreign Agents” and the “Russian Law.”, because it resembles the Russian regulations used by the Kremlin to combat the opposition. The Georgian Dream party, which is ruling Georgia for a third term, resumed work on the bill after halting its passage in March last year following mass protests and criticism from Western countries.
The law stipulates that organizations receiving more than 20 percent funding from abroad will be subject to registration and reporting and will be included in a special register of agents of foreign influence. Opponents of the bill say it could be used against opposition activists and civil society. Representatives of the US, European Union and UN expressed their concerns and called on the Georgian authorities to withdraw from the proceedings. They also pointed out that the proposal was contrary to Georgia’s European aspirations and the European integration process. On December 14, 2023, the European Council granted Georgia the status of a candidate country for accession to the European Union.
Source: Do Rzeczy
Roy Brown is a renowned economist and author at The Nation View. He has a deep understanding of the global economy and its intricacies. He writes about a wide range of economic topics, including monetary policy, fiscal policy, international trade, and labor markets.
