European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has spoken out against the recent violence in Tbilisi, condemning the actions that have taken place. In a statement, she urged Georgia to stay on the path towards Europe and continue to uphold democratic values.
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili has also weighed in on the situation, calling for peaceful protests in response to a controversial law that has sparked outrage among citizens. The law, which targets NGOs and media outlets that receive over 20% of their funding from abroad, will now require a third vote before it can be passed.
During a recent hearing on the law, opposition MPs were expelled from the session and NGOs and media organizations were prevented from giving evidence. Critics of the law have drawn comparisons to Russia’s “foreign agent” rules, citing concerns about freedom of speech and transparency.
Despite the backlash, the Georgian government maintains that the law is necessary for the sake of transparency and democracy. Supporters argue that it is crucial to prevent foreign interference in domestic affairs and to ensure that NGOs and media outlets are not unduly influenced by outside sources.
The situation in Georgia is still developing, with tensions high and protests expected to continue in the coming days. As the country grapples with these challenges, the international community will be closely watching to see how the situation unfolds and whether Georgia will stay on the path towards Europe.
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