Georgian parliament passes 'foreign agents' bill in final reading

Georgia's parliament on May 14 passed the controversial "foreign agents" bill in its third and final reading.

The bill requires organizations that receive foreign funding to be labeled as "foreign agents," prompting fears that this would help the government stifle domestic opposition and civil society.

The law, backed by the ruling Georgian Dream party, mirrors repressive Russian legislation used to crack down on Kremlin regime critics, earning it the nickname "Russian law" by its opponents.

Its introduction into the parliament has led to widespread protests across the country and criticism from the EU and the U.S.

The bill was passed with the support of 84 lawmakers, with 30 parliamentarians voting against it.

Georgia's pro-Western President Salome Zourabichvili previously said she would veto the bill. The country's constitution allows the president to either sign the law within 10 days or return it to the parliament.

Georgian Dream has enough votes in the parliament to override the veto, allowing it to be signed by the legislature's chairman instead.

As the bill was passed in its third reading, large-scale protests continued at the parliament's building.

Explainer: What’s behind ongoing protests in Georgia?

The protests, which grew out of opposition to the controversial foreign agents law, have begun to morph into a larger sign of discontent against the government and the direction it is taking the country.

The Kyiv IndependentNate Ostiller