6 Parties Announce Full Mobilization for Day of Second Reading of Russian Law

The parties issued a joint statement today, stating that the Russian law initiated by "Georgian Dream" contradicts the Georgian constitution, the will of the Georgian people - Georgia becoming a full-fledged member of the European Union and NATO, and the long-term goal of ensuring the country's sovereignty.

"The frightened Russian oligarch, Bidzina Ivanishvili, is attempting to thwart Georgia's European future using an aggressive parliamentary group and a violent police unit, a move opposed by a solid, strong, united Georgian society.

Despite 'Georgian Dream' accepting the Russian law in the first reading, the main battle lies ahead. We, the democratic, pro-Western political parties of Georgia, recognize the importance of united efforts in this fight. We declare full coordination and mobilization for the day of the second reading of the law to work together with our people to save the country's European future.

The people of Georgia have been, are, and will be the main guarantor of our country's European and Euro-Atlantic future. Any attempt against this choice is doomed to inevitable failure. Europe! Not the Russian law! Not the Russian government!" the statement says.

Despite thousands of protests and criticism from international partners, "Georgian Dream" passed the bill restricting independent media and civil society in the first reading on April 17. According to the procedure, it should be considered again by the legal committee next week, after which it will go to the plenary session for a second reading and a vote. In order for the bill to become law, the Parliament must pass it through three readings.

The European Union urges the Georgian authorities to refrain from adopting legislation that could endanger Georgia's path to the European Union.