The ruling Georgian Dream supported the law restricting independent media and public organizations at the session of the Parliament's Legal Affairs Committee. Mamuka Mdinaradze, one of the authors of the law and the majority leader, announced that it would be brought up for discussion at the plenary session this week.
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The majority of deputies supported the Russian law after a 12-hour discussion, amidst an ongoing demonstration in front of the parliament building. They left the legislature with the assistance of police and special forces.
The supporters of the Russian law are not planning to consider the criticism of the European Union.
"You cannot advance on the path of European integration without self-respect. We will progress with independence, principles, sovereignty, and a recognition of true Christian democratic values. When we and our allies communicate effectively, our country will find salvation. If we bow our heads and simply agree, we will not be appreciated, noticed, or recognized as a significant entity. The process of European integration will proceed as it has, but we will take pride in it,"Mdinaradze stated at the committee meeting.
Online media representatives were not permitted to attend the discussion of the draft law. Furthermore, the chairman of the committee expelled some opposition members from the session and prevented others from speaking.
Georgian Dream has reintroduced to the parliament the draft law on so-called Foreign Agents, which it had rejected a year ago in March following large-scale public protests, and pledged to withdraw it "unconditionally, without any reservations". The text of the draft law remains unchanged, with only the term "agent of foreign influence" replaced by "organization carrying out the interests of a foreign power". The ruling party intends to pass the Russian law before the end of the spring session, despite potential harm to Georgia's European integration process.
