Georgia lawmakers scuffle over a divisive bill that opponents say mimics Kremlin’s repressive law
Georgia lawmakers scuffle over a divisive bill that opponents say mimics Kremlin’s repressive law
This photo taken from video released by Georgian Parliament on Monday, April 15, 2024, shows the leader of the ruling Georgian Dream party’s group in parliament, Mamuka Mdinaradze, left, being punched in the face by opposition MP Alexander Elisashvili while speaking in Tbilisi, Georgia. That then sparked a wider fight between several other lawmakers. Georgian Dream, the governing party in the country of Georgia, said earlier this month that it would resubmit a draft law calling for media and non-commercial organizations to register as being under foreign influence if they receive more than 20% of their budget from abroad. (Georgian Parliament via AP)
Protestors wave a Georgian national flag as they gather outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)
Police block protestors as they gather outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)
Protestors shout as they gather outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)
Protestors with a giant EU flag gather outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024 to protest against the “the Russian law” as it is similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. The governing party in the country of Georgia has submitted to parliament a draft law calling for media and non-commercial organizations to register as being under foreign influence if they receive more than 20% of their budget from abroad. (AP Photo/Shakh Aivazov)
Protestors gather outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Shakh Aivazov)
Protestors hold anti-Russian and anti-Putin posters as they gather outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)
Policemen block protestors as they gather outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)
Police block protestors as they gather outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)
A protester wearing a gas mask, attends a rally outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)
Protestors wave Georgian national flags as they gather outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)
Protestors gather outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)
Protestors gather outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Shakh Aivazov)
Protestors wave EU and Georgian national flags as they gather outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)
Protestors gather outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Shakh Aivazov)
Protestors wave EU and Georgian national flags as they gather outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)
Protestors gather outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Shakh Aivazov)
A man stands in front of protestors with a giant EU flag outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024 to protest against the “the Russian law” as it is similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. The governing party in the country of Georgia has submitted to parliament a draft law calling for media and non-commercial organizations to register as being under foreign influence if they receive more than 20% of their budget from abroad. (AP Photo/Shakh Aivazov)
Protestors with a giant EU flag gather outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024 to protest against the “the Russian law” as it is similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. The governing party in the country of Georgia has submitted to parliament a draft law calling for media and non-commercial organizations to register as being under foreign influence if they receive more than 20% of their budget from abroad. (AP Photo/Shakh Aivazov)
Police block a street in front of protestors gathered outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)
A protestor attends a rally outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” as it is similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Shakh Aivazov)
This photo taken from video released by Georgian Parliament on Monday, April 15, 2024, shows the leader of the ruling Georgian Dream party’s group in parliament, Mamuka Mdinaradze, left, being punched in the face by opposition MP Alexander Elisashvili while speaking in Tbilisi, Georgia. That then sparked a wider fight between several other lawmakers. Georgian Dream, the governing party in the country of Georgia, said earlier this month that it would resubmit a draft law calling for media and non-commercial organizations to register as being under foreign influence if they receive more than 20% of their budget from abroad. (Georgian Parliament via AP)
This photo taken from video released by Georgian Parliament on Monday, April 15, 2024, shows the leader of the ruling Georgian Dream party’s group in parliament, Mamuka Mdinaradze, left, being punched in the face by opposition MP Alexander Elisashvili while speaking in Tbilisi, Georgia. That then sparked a wider fight between several other lawmakers. Georgian Dream, the governing party in the country of Georgia, said earlier this month that it would resubmit a draft law calling for media and non-commercial organizations to register as being under foreign influence if they receive more than 20% of their budget from abroad. (Georgian Parliament via AP)
Protestors wave a Georgian national flag as they gather outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)
Protestors wave a Georgian national flag as they gather outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)
Police block protestors as they gather outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)
Police block protestors as they gather outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)
Protestors shout as they gather outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)
Protestors shout as they gather outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)
Protestors with a giant EU flag gather outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024 to protest against the “the Russian law” as it is similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. The governing party in the country of Georgia has submitted to parliament a draft law calling for media and non-commercial organizations to register as being under foreign influence if they receive more than 20% of their budget from abroad. (AP Photo/Shakh Aivazov)
Protestors with a giant EU flag gather outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024 to protest against the “the Russian law” as it is similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. The governing party in the country of Georgia has submitted to parliament a draft law calling for media and non-commercial organizations to register as being under foreign influence if they receive more than 20% of their budget from abroad. (AP Photo/Shakh Aivazov)
Protestors gather outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Shakh Aivazov)
Protestors gather outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Shakh Aivazov)
Protestors hold anti-Russian and anti-Putin posters as they gather outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)
Protestors hold anti-Russian and anti-Putin posters as they gather outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)
Policemen block protestors as they gather outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)
Policemen block protestors as they gather outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)
Police block protestors as they gather outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)
Police block protestors as they gather outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)
A protester wearing a gas mask, attends a rally outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)
A protester wearing a gas mask, attends a rally outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)
Protestors wave Georgian national flags as they gather outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)
Protestors wave Georgian national flags as they gather outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)
Protestors gather outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)
Protestors gather outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)
Protestors gather outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Shakh Aivazov)
Protestors gather outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Shakh Aivazov)
Protestors wave EU and Georgian national flags as they gather outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)
Protestors wave EU and Georgian national flags as they gather outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)
Protestors gather outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Shakh Aivazov)
Protestors gather outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Shakh Aivazov)
Protestors wave EU and Georgian national flags as they gather outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)
Protestors wave EU and Georgian national flags as they gather outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)
Protestors gather outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Shakh Aivazov)
Protestors gather outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Shakh Aivazov)
A man stands in front of protestors with a giant EU flag outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024 to protest against the “the Russian law” as it is similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. The governing party in the country of Georgia has submitted to parliament a draft law calling for media and non-commercial organizations to register as being under foreign influence if they receive more than 20% of their budget from abroad. (AP Photo/Shakh Aivazov)
A man stands in front of protestors with a giant EU flag outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024 to protest against the “the Russian law” as it is similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. The governing party in the country of Georgia has submitted to parliament a draft law calling for media and non-commercial organizations to register as being under foreign influence if they receive more than 20% of their budget from abroad. (AP Photo/Shakh Aivazov)
Protestors with a giant EU flag gather outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024 to protest against the “the Russian law” as it is similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. The governing party in the country of Georgia has submitted to parliament a draft law calling for media and non-commercial organizations to register as being under foreign influence if they receive more than 20% of their budget from abroad. (AP Photo/Shakh Aivazov)
Protestors with a giant EU flag gather outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024 to protest against the “the Russian law” as it is similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. The governing party in the country of Georgia has submitted to parliament a draft law calling for media and non-commercial organizations to register as being under foreign influence if they receive more than 20% of their budget from abroad. (AP Photo/Shakh Aivazov)
Police block a street in front of protestors gathered outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)
Police block a street in front of protestors gathered outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)
A protestor attends a rally outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” as it is similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Shakh Aivazov)
A protestor attends a rally outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday, April 15, 2024, to protest against the “the Russian law” as it is similar to a law that Russia uses to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin. (AP Photo/Shakh Aivazov)
TBILISI, Georgia (AP) — Lawmakers in Georgia’s legislature scuffled on Monday as the parliament debated a divisive new law dubbed the foreign agent bill. Hours later, hundreds of people protested against the legislation outside the parliament in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi.
The draft — proposed by the ruling Georgian Dream party — calls for media and non-commercial organizations to register as being under foreign influence if they receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad.
Opponents of the measure denounce it as “the Russian law” because of similar legislation used by Moscow to stigmatize independent news media and organizations seen as being at odds with the Kremlin.
Video shared online shows the leader of the Georgian Dream lawmakers, Mamuka Mdinaradze, being punched in the face while speaking by an opposition lawmaker who rushed up to the podium. Several other lawmakers from opposing sides then join in the brawl, scuffling and wrestling with each other.
The bill is nearly identical to a proposal that the governing party was pressured to withdraw a year ago after large street protests. On Monday, protesters sang patriotic songs and shouted “slaves” outside the parliament, suggesting the house was bending to pressure from Russia.
Those who oppose the measure say passing the law would obstruct Georgia’s aim of joining the European Union, which last year granted the country long-desired candidate status.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze had a meeting Monday with the American, British and EU ambassadors to discuss the bill, the government said.
The law says non-commercial organizations and news media that receive 20% or more of their funding from overseas would have to register as “pursuing the interests of a foreign power” — the only change in wording from the draft law withdrawn last year, which said that relevant groups must register as “agents of foreign influence.”
Georgia’s President Salome Zourabichvili would veto the law if it is passed by parliament, her parliamentary representative Girogi Mskhiladze has previously said.
But that veto might not be long-lasting as Zourabichvili’s term ends this year and under Georgia’s constitution changes, the next president will be named by an electoral college that includes all members of parliament.