In a shocking display of political discord, Georgia’s parliament became the arena for a physical altercation between lawmakers on Monday. Mamuka Madinaradze, the leader of the ruling Georgian Dream Party, was in the midst of presenting a contentious bill aimed at regulating ‘foreign agents’ when opposition leader Eleko Elisashvili delivered a punch that sparked a brawl.
The bill, which requires organizations receiving funds from abroad to register as foreign agents or incur fines, has been met with widespread criticism. Dubbed the ‘Russian bill’ by detractors, it echoes similar legislation in Russia used to stifle dissent and has raised concerns about Georgia’s commitment to democratic values.
The incident, captured on video, has since gone viral, symbolizing the intense opposition the bill faces both within parliament and among the public. Over 5,000 protesters gathered in front of the parliament building, showing solidarity with the opposition and decrying the proposed legislation.
Western countries have also expressed their disapproval of the bill, aligning with the demonstrators’ sentiments. Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze acknowledged discussing the bill with ambassadors from the EU, UK, and US but did not reveal the details of why the discussion lacked support.
The government’s statement following the incident has left many questions unanswered, but the message from the opposition and the public is clear: the controversial bill is unwelcome, and the fight for Georgia’s democratic integrity is far from over.
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