Protesters gather in central Tbilisi as parliament set to adopt controversial bill in final reading

Demonstrators are gathering in central Tbilisi as the Georgian state legislature has been scheduled to pass the controversial foreign transparency bill in its third and final reading today despite mass protests inside the country and sharp international criticism. 

The bill, passed by the Georgian Dream party on May 1 in its second reading, garnered 83 votes in favor and 23 against. Although the substance of the bill remained largely intact, amendments were made to the title, replacing the term “agent” with “Organization Pursuing the Interests of a Foreign Power” for entities deriving more than 20 percent of their income from abroad.

Critics both domestically and internationally have labeled the bill as a “Russian law,” with foreign allies cautioning that it could hinder Georgia’s European integration efforts, particularly after the country attained candidacy status within the European bloc last year.In a special briefing on Monday, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze pledged the adoption of the bill in its third reading “despite international pressure” and emphasized the importance of not yielding to external influences. He argued that retreating on the bill would require conceding on various issues, including contentious topics like same-sex marriage.

He also said Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder and the current honorary chair of the Georgian Dream, also branded as a “shadow ruler” by domestic actors, had declined a meeting with visiting US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, James O’Brien. He noted Ivanishvili alleged he was under “de facto sanctions” and that $2 billion, which he had entrusted to Western entities, had been seized by the “Global War Party”. Consequently, Kobakhidze claimed Ivanishvili asserted he could not engage in meetings under such circumstances.