Zurabishvili Calls Withdrawal of Foreign Agent Bills a Victory for Society

The President of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili, has described the authorities' decision to withdraw the foreign agent bills from Parliament as a victory for society, according to TASS.

“First of all, I would like to congratulate the entire society on this first victory. I welcome the authorities' right decision to remove this law. This decision was dictated by taking into account the true power of the people,” Zurabishvili said in her video address on Thursday.

The Georgian leader added that this decision has contributed to the reduction of societal polarization. She emphasized that Georgia is a democratic country, where it is impossible for “the authorities to ignore the voice and will of the people.”

Earlier on Thursday, the ruling party announced it was withdrawing the foreign agent bill from Parliament. Thousands protested in Tbilisi on March 7 and 8 after Parliament adopted the Georgian version of the foreign influence agent law in the first reading. Both rallies ended late at night, with law enforcement using water cannons and tear gas to disperse the demonstrators. More than 130 people were detained during the two days of protests.

In February, two versions of the foreign agent bills were registered in the Georgian Parliament — a Georgian version and an American one, which is adapted from the American law on foreign agent registration.

Protests are ongoing today as well.