Georgian PM says bill on transparency of foreign influence will be adopted on Tuesday
Kobakhidze also said the Parliament would “act in accordance with the rational will of the majority of the Georgian population” and “make an important contribution to the end of polarisation in society” by adopting the draft law. Photo: Government Administration
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Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Monday said “no substantial changes” would be made to a controversial domestic bill on the transparency of foreign influence during discussions with international partners on Tuesday, adding the draft law would be adopted the same day by the Parliament.
Speaking at a press briefing in the Government Administration after the legislative body approved the bill in the third and final reading on Tuesday on the backdrop of public protests against it, Kobakhidze said it was “possible” to use the Presidential veto to “reconcile positions” over the bill, while expressing “readiness for discussion”.
It is true that Salome Zourabichvili made a non-constructive statement [after she on Sunday confirmed her intention to veto the bill but said she would not “engage in manipulations and start playing games”], but I would like to urge her to act as before. She himself never wrote her own veto bills - they were written by NGOs or from outside”, the Government head claimed in reference to foreign political players.
Therefore, it is possible that this tool will be used again now, and if Zourabichvili does not give an opportunity either to the Government or international partners, it will be her responsibility”, he said.
Kobakhidze also said the Parliament would “act in accordance with the rational will of the majority of the Georgian population” and “make an important contribution to the end of polarisation in society” by adopting the draft law.
The legislative piece, which calls for the 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, was supported by 83 MPs in the 150-member lawmaking body.
It requires groups “considered to be an organisation pursuing the interests of a foreign power” to be registered in the public registry with the status and publicise their received funding.
Zourabichvili on Sunday said she would veto the controversial legislative piece, however the ruling party has enough votes to override her veto.