For Georgia opposition urges ruling party MPs back rejection of agents law to save reputation

The For Georgia opposition party on Friday urged the MPs of the ruling Georgian Dream party to back the rejection of the controversial foreign influence bill, following the US Department of State warning of sanctions. 

The party warned that failing to do so would have serious consequences, both domestically and internationally.

For Georgia said the ruling party and its “leader, Bidzina Ivanishvili”, have undermined the nation’s achievements over the past years. They accuse Ivanishvili of acting solely to protect his wealth and power, and asserted that he could shield the government from the justified reactions of strategic partners or the anger of the Georgian people “who are fighting for freedom and integration into the union of civilized states”.

The party calls on the government to retract the controversial law, emphasizing that this was a critical moment not just for the current leaders, but for the future of the nation and the legacy built by the Georgian people over the last 30 years, often at great personal cost.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced a new visa restriction policy targeting individuals responsible for or complicit in undermining democracy in Georgia. This policy includes those suppressing civil society and freedom of peaceful assembly through violence or intimidation, and extends to their family members. Additionally, a comprehensive review of US-Georgia bilateral cooperation has been initiated.