INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Some 20,000 protesters rallied in Georgia on Wednesday after lawmakers advanced a controversial "foreign influence" law that opponents say
will undermine Tbilisi's longstanding European aspirations.In a vote boycotted by opposition deputies, 83 lawmakers from the ruling Georgian
That was enough for it to pass the 150-seat parliament.In the evening, thousands of protesters blocked traffic on the main thoroughfare of
the Georgian capital Tbilisi, in front of the parliament building, where hundreds of riot police were bused in."No to the Russian law!"
shouted demonstrators after the Georgian national anthem and European Union's Ode to Joy were performed at the rally, the third day of mass
anti-government protests."Today is a sad day for Georgia, because our government has taken another step towards Russia and away from
Europe," said protester Makvala Naskidashvili."But I am also happy because I see such unity among the youth," the 88-year-old added
"They are proud Europeans and will not let anyone spoil their European dream."Protesters then issued an ultimatum to the authorities,
demanding the withdrawal of the draft law within an hour, before marching to the prime minister's offices to demand a meeting with the head
of government, an AFP journalist saw.Protest rallies were also held in several cities across Georgia, including the second-largest city of
Batumi, Interpress news agency reported.Since Monday, thousands have been taking to the streets in Tbilisi every day to protest against the
draft law.Previous days saw riot police chase demonstrators in the labyrinth of narrow streets near parliament, beating them and making
arrests.Several local media outlets said police had attacked their journalists.'Not in line with EU values'A former Soviet republic, Georgia
has sought for years to deepen relations with the West, but the current ruling party is accused of trying to steer the Black Sea nation
toward closer ties with Russia.Once seen as leading the democratic transformation of ex-Soviet countries, Georgia has in recent years been
institutions.He then accused some of those civil groups of attempting to drag Georgia into the Ukraine war and to stage a
revolution."Forward, with dignity, to Europe!" he said after accusing Western leaders of opposing the law without offering arguments against
it.But European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and enlargement commissioner Oliver Varhelyi called Wednesday's vote in the
Georgian parliament a "very concerning development.""Final adoption of this legislation would negatively impact Georgia's progress on its EU
This law is not in line with EU core norms and values," they said in a joint statement.In December, the EU granted Georgia official
destabilization."Washington has also voiced concerns that the law would "derail Georgia from its European path."'Repressive legislation'If
adopted, the bill would require any independent NGO or media organization receiving more than 20% of funding from abroad to register as an
"organization pursuing the interests of a foreign power."Amnesty International urged Georgia's authorities to "immediately stop their
incessant efforts to impose repressive legislation on the country's vibrant civil society."A similar bill targeting "foreign agents" was
dropped last year after mass protests outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, during which police used tear gas and water cannons
against demonstrators.The ruling Georgian Dream party re-introduced the draft law to parliament earlier this month, in a surprise
announcement ahead of crucial parliamentary elections in October, seen as a key democratic test for the Black Sea country.To become law, the
bill has to pass second and third readings in parliament and to overcome a likely presidential veto.But Georgian Dream holds a commanding
majority in the legislature, allowing it to pass further stages and vote down a presidential veto without the backing of any opposition MPs.
