Georgia’s parliament experienced chaos when Mamuka Mdinaradze, leader of the ruling Georgian Dream party’s parliamentary faction, was punched in the face by opposition MP Aleko Elisashvili while discussing a controversial law on “foreign agents.” The incident was captured on video and shows Mdinaradze being punched and falling over as other MPs joined the brawl. This led to further violence with lawmakers from opposing sides trading punches. Protesters outside the parliament building cheered Elisashvili, highlighting the tension surrounding the “foreign agents” bill in Georgia.
The proposed “foreign agents” bill in Georgia has sparked controversy and criticism, with some comparing it to a “Putin-style” import from Russia. The bill requires media and non-commercial organizations to register as being under foreign influence if they receive more than 20% of their budget from abroad, a measure similar to one that was previously withdrawn due to public outcry. The Georgian Dream party argues that the law is necessary to combat what they see as “pseudo-liberal values” imposed by foreigners and to promote transparency. However, critics within Georgia have labeled the bill as the “Russian law” and have raised concerns about its impact on the country’s aspirations to join the European Union.
Opponents of the “foreign agents” bill argue that it could complicate Georgia’s efforts to join the European Union, as the EU has stated that the law is incompatible with its values. The EU emphasized the importance of creating an environment that supports civil society organizations and media freedom, which are essential for democracy and the EU accession process. Despite the Georgian Dream party’s stated desire for Georgia to join the EU and NATO, there are concerns about the party deepening ties with Russia.
The altercation in parliament occurred as Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze met with ambassadors from the EU, the U.K., and the U.S. to discuss the legislation. President Salome Zourabichvili’s parliamentary representative announced that Zourabichvili would veto the law if passed by parliament. However, her term ends soon, and the next president will be selected by an electoral college that includes all members of parliament. This raises questions about the long-term impact of a potential presidential veto on the controversial “foreign agents” bill in Georgia.
