Parliament Passes Russian Law in Second Reading

Before the vote, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze held a briefing where he stated that "Georgian Dream" is not going to compromise and will not withdraw the Russian Law. Anri Okhanashvili, one of the authors of the law, reiterated the same stance.

"The choice is simple. We must see the work through to completion. We will fight to the end, we will defend to the end. Let us march proudly towards Europe! With our language, heritage, and faith intact! Long live the united sovereign Georgia! I urge you to support the bill," Okhanashvili addressed the deputies before the vote.

MPs supporting the Russian Law include: Zaza Lominadze, Davit Matikashvili, Samvel Manukiani, Levan Machavariani, Levan Mgaloblishvili, Irakli Mezurnishvili, Gogi Meshveliani, Irakli Medzmariashili, Savalan Mirzoev, Givi Mikanadze, Imade Nikuradze, Anton Obolashvili, Beka Odisharia, Anri Okhanashvili, Shalva Papuashvili, Gela Samkharauli, Viktor Sanikidze, Davit Songhulashvili, Giorgi Sosiashvili, Aleksandre Tabatadze, Nodar Turdzeladze, Irakli Kadagishvili, Levan Karumidze, Merab Kvaraia, Salome Kurasbediani, Aluda Ghudushauri, Tengiz Sharmanashvili, Irakli Shatakishvili, Giorgi Chakvetadze, Goderdzi Chankseliani Van Charkvian, Vasil Chigogidze, Giorgi Tsagareishvili, Bezhan Tsakadze, Nino Tsilosani, Khatia Tsilosani, Greta Tsitsava, Shota Khabareli, Giorgi Khakhubia, Salome Jinjolava, Giorgi Barvenashvili, Gia Benashvili, Rima Beradze, Maia Bitadze, Anzor Bolkvadze, Eliso Bolkvadze, Maka Bochorishvili, Elguja Gotsiridze, Beka Davituliani, Alexander Dalakishvili, Zaur Dargali, Isko Dasen, Zaal Dugladze, Gocha Enukidze, Gia Volski, Irma Zavradashvili, Irakli Zarkua, Archil Talakvadze, Edisher Toloraia, Rati Ionatamishvili, Lado Kakhadze, Giorgi Kakhiani, Kakha Kakhishvili, Paata Kvizhinadze, Baia Kvitsiani, Irakli Kirtskhalia, Sumbat Kiureghiani, Levan Kobiashvili, Resan Kontselidze, Mariam Lashkhi, Dimitri Samkharadze, Davit Katcharava, Guram Macharashvili, Sozar Subari, Eka Sefashvili, Victor Japaridze, Irakli (Dachi) Beraia, Zaal Mikeladze, Dimitri Khundadze, Mikheil Kavelashvili, Avtandil Enukidze, Fridon Injia, Givi Chichinadze.

Mamuka Mdinaradze, the leader of the parliamentary majority, was absent from today's plenary session due to his health condition. Similarly, Nikoloz Samkharadze, the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, who is currently on a working visit to the United States, was also not present at the session. Consequently, they were unable to participate in the voting.

As per members of the parliamentary opposition, "Georgian Dream" leader Bidzina Ivanishvili and 83 deputies have made a geopolitical decision in favor of Russia, disregarding international partners' warnings that supporting the law would hinder the country's accession to the European Union.

Following the plenary session, members of "Georgian Dream" departed from the legislative body under a police cordon arranged by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, thus evading the ongoing protest outside the parliament.

To ultimately pass the Russian Law, it must undergo discussion and voting in the third reading by the Committee on Legal Affairs, following which it will proceed to the plenary session. The approval of 76 deputies will suffice to pass the Russian Law.

President Salome Zurabishvili has reiterated her intention to veto the Russian Law, even though "Georgian Dream" possesses the means to override it.