A Georgian lawmaker today punched a rival politician in the face over the government’s reintroduction of a controversial “foreign influence” bill, sparking a massive fight in parliament.
Critics say the legislation reflects repressive Russian laws used by Vladimir Putin and his Kremlin regime to silence and intimidate dissidents.
The ruling Georgian Dream party announced the proposal earlier this month, reviving a similar bill that was abandoned a year ago after mass protests.
Video from a parliamentary hearing showed an opposition MP hitting a ruling party lawmaker who was co-sponsoring the bill in the head, leading to a massive fight on the ground and the live broadcast being cut off.
Video of the incident shows MP Aleko Elisashvili charging from Mamuka Mdinaradze’s left, shaking his fist and making contact with her face. Another politician is seen sitting behind the speaker watching with his mouth open.
This is the moment a Georgian lawmaker (R) punches a rival politician in the face over the government’s reintroduction of a controversial “foreign influence” bill.
Video of the incident shows the politician, MP Aleko Elisashvili, attacking from the speaker’s left, shaking his fist and making contact with the man’s face. Another politician is seen sitting behind the speaker watching, mouth open, in shock.
Video of the incident shows MP Aleko Elisashvili, attacking from the left of the speaking politician, shaking his fist and making contact with the man’s face. Another politician is seen sitting behind the speaker watching, mouth open, in shock.
As Elisashvili and the politician speaking fall together from the podium, a mass of bodies surrounds them and works to subdue the deputy.
As Elisashvili and Mdinaradze fall from the podium together, a mass of bodies surrounds them and works to subdue the attacking MP.
More footage showed other politicians dressed in suits in the fight, throwing punches as others desperately tried to calm the situation.
In angry comments made outside the building after the incident, Elisashvili told reporters: ‘They beat me, but if it’s for Georgia, so be it!
“We must shove this law up their asses,” he said, shaking his fist before a cheering crowd. ‘There is no time for courtesy. They are dragging us directly to Russia.
“We are Georgians or slaves, and we are not slaves,” he added.
The fight came as dozens of Georgians demonstrated outside parliament against the proposed law, which they say undermines Georgia’s bid for EU membership.
Ahead of a rally planned for Monday night, protesters could be seen unfurling a large European Union flag and chanting: “No to the Russian law!”
“Georgian society is strong enough not to allow the country to slide into Russian-style authoritarianism,” said architect Saba Gotua.
“We will not allow Georgian Dream to squander Georgia’s historic opportunity to become a member of the EU.”
Georgia has sought for years to deepen its relations with the West, but the current ruling party is accused of trying to reconnect the former Soviet republic with Russia.
Under the bill, any independent organization that receives more than 20 percent of funding from abroad will be required to register as an “organization pursuing the interests of a foreign power.”
In angry comments made outside the building after the incident, Elisashvili told reporters: “They beat me, but if it’s for Georgia, so be it.”
Demonstrators gather to protest against the reintroduction of the ‘Foreign Agents Bill’ at the First Republic Square (Pink Revolution Square) in Tbilisi, Georgia, on April 15.
Critics say the government’s proposed legislation reflects repressive Russian laws used by Vladimir Putin and his Kremlin regime to silence and intimidate dissidents.
This was a change from last year’s proposal, which used the term “foreign influence agent.”
Georgian Dream said it changed the wording after accepting that the initial had negative connotations.
The term “foreign agent” has its roots in the Soviet past and suggests that such people are traitors and enemies of the state.
Last week, around 8,000 people staged a rally in central Tbilisi, following the ruling party’s surprise announcement that it planned to pass the bill in May.
Analysts said the ruling party – widely suspected of covert cooperation with the Kremlin – sees Western funding for Georgia’s pro-democracy NGOs and independent media as a challenge to its grip on power.
“Georgian Dream does not hide that the law aims to neutralize Western influence,” political analyst Ghia Nodia told AFP.
“The party keeps saying it is steering Georgia towards the EU, but in reality it is sabotaging Georgia’s European prospects,” which opinion polls show are supported by around 80 percent of the population.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, known for his anti-Western rhetoric, has insisted his cabinet is committed to the country’s European aspirations.
In an effort to champion the ruling party’s cause, he invited ambassadors from EU countries that have criticized the bill to live televised debates.
The European Commission has called on Tbilisi not to approve the legislation, saying it contradicts the agenda of democratic reforms that Tbilisi must follow to advance its path to EU membership.
In December, the EU granted Georgia official candidate status, but said Tbilisi would have to reform its judicial and electoral systems, reduce political polarization, improve press freedom and restrict the power of oligarchs before they were formally launched. conversations about your membership.
The United States said last week that passing the law would “divert Georgia from its European path.”
Demonstrators gather to protest against the reintroduction of the ‘Foreign Agents Bill’ at the First Republic Square (Pink Revolution Square) in Tbilisi, Georgia on April 15, 2024.
“We are deeply concerned that, if enacted, this bill would harm civil society organizations…and impede independent media organizations,” the US State Department spokesperson told reporters. .USA, Matthew Miller.
“Stay tuned,” he said when asked about the prospect of the United States imposing sanctions on Georgia.
The adoption of the controversial legislation is likely to further deepen divisions in Georgia, whose staunchly pro-Western president, Salome Zurabishvili, has condemned the bill as damaging to democracy.
Traditionally seen as a leader of democratic transformation among former Soviet countries, Georgia has been criticized in recent years for what is perceived as democratic backsliding.