This post is also available in: Norsk bokmål Русский Українська

President Salome Zourabishvili of Georgia vetoed what is a copy of a Russian law on foreign agents. The pro-Russian government is clearly on a collision course with the people who have taken to the streets to protest. This law will effectively close the door for Georgia to the EU. The law, which is a copy of the same law that Russia has, will label all organizations that receive more than 20% support from abroad as foreign agents. This is against both the constitution and totally against the EU’s needle eye on freedom of expression. Such a law would dash the hopes of all Georgians for EU membership. 80% of people want to join the EU.

A government that does not care about the will of the people

Georgia is located at the crossroads between Western Europe and Russia. The political landscape in Georgia is complicated and the opposition is strongly divided, apart from a unanimous desire to look towards the west and not towards Russia. President Salome Zourabisjvili wants to take Georigia to EU membership, the government is totally out of touch with its own people.

The reason why President Salome Zourabisjvili can veto this law is that it violates democratic principles. It will also effectively put an end to Georgia’s rapprochement with the EU. One problem, of course, is that Salome Zourabishvili’s presidential term will soon be over. An amendment to the constitution means that the next president will be elected by the National Assembly and not the people.

Short-lived, before the introduction of new Russian law

There is therefore reason to believe that the Russian-friendly government is trying to install one of its own as president. I find it hard to see that it will be well received by the public. Before and after the National Assembly recently passed the law, there were major protests throughout the country. I recently wrote about the protests and how they were reminiscent of the protests in Ukraine in the winter of 2013-14. Feel free to read this blog.

Georgia is on the brink of conflict between its people and a Russian-friendly government. In Ukraine in 2013-14, this led to the occupation of large parts of Ukraine by Russia. What lies ahead for Georgia is anyone’s guess.

Sources:

EU warns Georgia against adopting controversial law – Dagsavisen

Georgia’s president vetoes controversial law – Latest news – NRK

Georgia presses on with Putin-style ‘foreign agent’ bill despite huge protests | CNN

Salome Zourabichvili – Wikipedia