The News in Brief
Wednesday, May 29, 2024
Prepared by Messenger Staff
Georgian Parliament Overrides President's Veto to Adopt 'Foreign Agents' Law
The Parliament of Georgia has overridden the President's veto and adopted the "Foreign Agents" law.
According to the procedure, the Parliament first voted on the President's motivated remarks and rejected them. Following this, the original version of the "Foreign Agents" law was put to a vote.
84 deputies supported the law, while four opposed it.
The law will now be returned to the President for signature. If Salome Zourabichvili, who has stated she will not sign it, refuses again, the Chairman of the Parliament will have the authority to sign the law in the following five days. Once Shalva Papuashvili signs and publishes the law, it will enter into force.
Within a maximum of three months after the law's entry into force, entities receiving more than 20% of their funding from foreign sources as of 2023 will be required to register as organizations representing the interests of a foreign power.
Failure to register or submit the declaration within the established period will result in a fine of 25,000 GEL. Committing the same action within one month will result in a fine of 20,000 GEL.
Additionally, the Ministry of Justice will have the right to fine individuals 5,000 GEL for not providing the requested information (including secret, personal, commercial, or professional information).
President Zourabichvili Ready to Call Referendum Upon Georgian Citizens' Request
President Salome Zourabichvili has expressed her willingness to call a referendum if the Georgian citizens wish. Addressing the people gathered at the parliament today, she stated that she will sign the document to appoint the referendum after the necessary signatures are collected.
"I will sign the referendum: Do we want a European future or do we want Russian slavery?" she declared.
Salome Zourabichvili believes that it is necessary to reflect the clear position of the population regarding Georgia's foreign course through a referendum.
The procedure for conducting the referendum is regulated by the "Organic Law of Georgia on the Referendum". The President needs at least 200,000 voters to apply for a referendum. After that, the President of Georgia calls for a referendum with a decree that requires the co-signature of the Prime Minister of Georgia.
Georgian Parliament Overrides President's Veto to Adopt 'Foreign Agents' Law
According to the procedure, the Parliament first voted on the President's motivated remarks and rejected them. Following this, the original version of the "Foreign Agents" law was put to a vote.
84 deputies supported the law, while four opposed it.
The law will now be returned to the President for signature. If Salome Zourabichvili, who has stated she will not sign it, refuses again, the Chairman of the Parliament will have the authority to sign the law in the following five days. Once Shalva Papuashvili signs and publishes the law, it will enter into force.
Within a maximum of three months after the law's entry into force, entities receiving more than 20% of their funding from foreign sources as of 2023 will be required to register as organizations representing the interests of a foreign power.
Failure to register or submit the declaration within the established period will result in a fine of 25,000 GEL. Committing the same action within one month will result in a fine of 20,000 GEL.
Additionally, the Ministry of Justice will have the right to fine individuals 5,000 GEL for not providing the requested information (including secret, personal, commercial, or professional information).
President Zourabichvili Ready to Call Referendum Upon Georgian Citizens' Request
"I will sign the referendum: Do we want a European future or do we want Russian slavery?" she declared.
Salome Zourabichvili believes that it is necessary to reflect the clear position of the population regarding Georgia's foreign course through a referendum.
The procedure for conducting the referendum is regulated by the "Organic Law of Georgia on the Referendum". The President needs at least 200,000 voters to apply for a referendum. After that, the President of Georgia calls for a referendum with a decree that requires the co-signature of the Prime Minister of Georgia.