Georgia’s president vetoes controversial law that has provoked weeks of protests

georgia’s president vetoes controversial law that has provoked weeks of protests

A woman holds a Georgian national and an EU flags in front of riot police blocking a street to prevent demonstrators during an opposition protest against "the Russian law".

GEORGIA’S PRESIDENT HAS vetoed the so-called “Russian law” targeting media that has sparked weeks of mass protests in the country.

The law would require media and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to register as “pursuing the interests of a foreign power” if they receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad.

Critics of the bill say it closely resembles legislation used by the Kremlin to silence opponents, and that it will obstruct Georgia’s bid to join the EU.

President Salome Zourabichvili, who is increasingly at odds with Georgia’s ruling party, said on Saturday that the law contradicts Georgia’s constitution and “all European standards”, and added that it “must be abolished”.

The ruling party, Georgian Dream, has a majority sufficient to override Zourabichvili’s veto, and is widely expected to do so in the coming days.

The Georgian government insists that the law is intended to promote transparency and curb what it deems harmful foreign influence in the country of 3.7 million.

OTHER NEWS

7 minutes ago

Ione Skye Memoir ‘Say Everything’ To Be Published By Gallery Books

7 minutes ago

Canada Day 2024: Festivities, fireworks and live music throughout Waterloo Region

7 minutes ago

Tickets for NBC's Opening Ceremony coverage for Paris Olympics in IMAX theaters now on sale

11 minutes ago

Mamelodi Sundowns defender draws Euro interest – Agency speaks

11 minutes ago

'Saved my life': Assange needs time after long-awaited return

11 minutes ago

Dublin Airport passengers take diverging views on Aer Lingus pilots' strike

11 minutes ago

Wada cannot be trusted after doping scandal - Phelps

12 minutes ago

Scott Gorham nearly lost his 'Holy Grail' 1957 Gibson Les Paul to a customs officer just after he bought it – and he had to go to court to get it back

12 minutes ago

'French Support for Ukraine Not Ironclad'- Pothier

12 minutes ago

Bond Yields Are Headed Lower. The Path May Be Bumpy.

12 minutes ago

India vs England LIVE: Cricket score and updates from 20/20 World Cup

12 minutes ago

Trump keeps baselessly claiming that Biden will be on drugs at debate

12 minutes ago

Premier League monitoring Chelsea, Aston Villa and Everton deals ahead of PSR deadline

12 minutes ago

Richard Jolly: Nobody told Austria this was the group of death - they’ve reshaped map of Euro 2024 with Dutch win

12 minutes ago

Rules of Golf Review: My opponent drove in front of me and I hit his golf cart. Who gets the penalty stroke?

12 minutes ago

Donald Trump Has One Debate Mode: Bullying

12 minutes ago

Phil Foden leaves England's Euro 2024 camp in Germany

12 minutes ago

Woman Is Paying $700 Monthly For A Tesla She Can't Drive: 'Go Get Gap Insurance!'

12 minutes ago

I Asked The Golf Monthly Team To Reveal The Best Golf Clubs They’ve Ever Owned. Do You Use Any Of These Beauties?

12 minutes ago

Massive fire breaks out at tower block after 'explosion'

13 minutes ago

Robots covered in living skin bring Terminator one step closer

13 minutes ago

Columbus Blue Jackets Forwards Kirill Marchenko & Yegor Chinakhov To Play In Charity Game Featuring NHL And KHL Stars

13 minutes ago

Searing Heat Wave Melts Abraham Lincoln

13 minutes ago

Stone Cold Steve Austin has morphed into an Instagram cat dad, and it’s incredible

13 minutes ago

MLB GM survey reveals baseball players who are most likely to be traded soon

13 minutes ago

Teen boys are using 'fitness' gum and jaw trainers to try to get defined jawlines

13 minutes ago

Alex Morgan not going to Paris Olympics, left off roster of U.S. women's soccer team

13 minutes ago

Southwest Airlines says a key measure of pricing power will be weaker than expected in 2Q

13 minutes ago

Tories awarded £1.2m contract to Canadian firm which bribed Muammar Gaddafi’s son

13 minutes ago

Behind-the-scenes look at Buckingham Palace’s state banquet with gold cutlery and vibrant flowers

16 minutes ago

Healthy Returns: Eli Lilly, other drugmakers show off encouraging weight loss drug data

19 minutes ago

Squatters take over San Lorenzo restaurant site in Knightsbridge

19 minutes ago

Atom bomb-sized blast in Russia may have been caused by a black hole

19 minutes ago

Rivian's EV Trip Planner Is Getting A Big Upgrade, And You Don't Need A Rivian To Use It

19 minutes ago

Bayern Munich prepares to fight to keep Jamal Musiala as Bild speculates demands of up to €24 million per year

19 minutes ago

Mitch perfect: Blues blitz sets up series decider after MCG demolition

19 minutes ago

Will Nabi bring along his captain to Kaizer Chiefs next week?

19 minutes ago

A New Aluminum Alloy Is About to Drive the Evolution of Engines

19 minutes ago

DJT Stock Retreats After Impressive Run. The Trump vs. Biden Debate Is Close.

19 minutes ago

Bond Market in Step With Fed Is About to Slam Into US Election