Georgian PM accuses country’s President of being an “agent of foreign influence” in rebuke on transparency bill

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Wednesday accused President Salome Zourabichvili of being an “agent of foreign influence”, in comments on the President’s comment on her intention to veto the controversial bill on transparency of foreign influence that has sparked public protests in the country.

Kobakhidze said Zourabichvili’s “voice belongs to a foreign power, the global war party”, in reference to the opposition United National Movement and its supporters.

Zourabichvili said she would veto the bill, currently in a series of hearings at the Parliament, adding “my veto is the voice of the people”.

In his response, the PM said the bill would be put to citizens in a referendum during the October parliamentary elections, predicting it would have “around 60 percent support”.

He also urged the public to wait for the elections and “not let anyone, especially Zourabichvili, speak on behalf of the Georgian people”.

Kobakhidze also accused the President of “betraying the Georgian people and the country's constitution”.

The bill on transparency of foreign influence calls for registration of non-commercial legal entities and media outlets in the country as “pursuing the interests of a foreign power” if they derive more than 20 percent of their funding from abroad.

The domestic opposition, NGO sector and some of Georgia’s international partner states and diplomatic representations in the country have criticised the legislative piece, which had been reintroduced by the ruling party following its retraction after public protests last year.