Parliamentary opposition asks Constitutional Court to repeal controversial law on transparency of foreign influence

Georgian parliamentary opposition on Monday asked the Constitutional Court to suspend and repeal the controversial domestic law on the transparency of foreign influence, introduced by the ruling Georgian Dream party and approved by the Parliament earlier this year.

The opposition has claimed the law, which requires groups “considered to be an organisation pursuing the interests of a foreign power” - determined by more than 20 percent of their funding coming from abroad - to be registered in the public registry with the status and publicise their received funding, contradicts Article 78 of the constitution of Georgia about ensuring Integration into European and Euro-Atlantic structures.

Tamar Kordzaia, an opposition MP, said the law must be suspended before the election, scheduled for October 26, or "the country could be irreversibly damaged".

The first step is that this law must be suspended before the parliamentary election, otherwise this country may be irreversibly damaged. Sanctions [by Georgia’s Western partners following the adoption of the law] will come into effect on September 3, thus we think that a meeting must be held before to discuss suspension. The parliamentary opposition is united with the civil society, the media, the President of Georgia and every citizen of Georgia”, she said.

The MP added the opposition was “absolutely united”, as 38 opposition MPs signed the lawsuit, some without being present.

Merab Turava, the Chair of the Constitutional Court, said the lawsuit by non-governmental organisations, opposition parties and the President would be considered in a single case.