Georgia President Salome Zurabishvili Vetoes Controversial ‘Foreign Influence’ Law amid Unprecedented Protests

Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili made a bold move by placing a veto on the controversial “foreign influence” law, sparking a showdown with her own government and igniting unprecedented protests in the nation. The legislation, passed by ruling Georgian Dream party lawmakers, has raised concerns that Georgia may be veering away from its pro-Western stance towards Russia.

Zurabishvili, in a televised statement, described the law as “Russian in its essence” and contradictory to the country’s constitution. Despite her veto, the ruling party has the numbers to override it, leaving the future of the law uncertain.

The bill, which requires organizations receiving significant foreign funding to register as entities “pursuing the interests of a foreign power,” has been met with widespread backlash. Critics argue that it mirrors Russian laws aimed at stifling dissent.

With more than 80 percent of the population expressing a desire to join the European Union and NATO, the move has drawn sharp criticism from Brussels. European Council chief Charles Michel emphasized the incompatibility of the law with Georgia’s EU aspirations and urged lawmakers to reconsider their stance.

President Zurabishvili, a former French diplomat, has called on French President Emmanuel Macron to show support for Georgia’s independence. She emphasized the importance of breaking free from Soviet-era influence and Russian control in the region.

As tensions escalate between the president and the ruling party, the future of the “foreign influence” law remains uncertain. Zurabishvili’s veto has opened a window for further dialogue, with Brussels urging Georgia to stay on its path towards EU membership amidst growing concerns about the country’s democratic values.

The standoff between the president and her government underscores the complex political dynamics at play in Georgia and raises questions about the country’s future direction in the midst of internal and external pressures.