On March 7th, Parliament approved a bill that required non-governmental organizations, media outlets and other entities that receive at least 20 percent of their funds from abroad, especially from Western nations, to register as “foreign influence agents”, which would undoubtedly affect opposition groups.

The initiative lit up a storm of debate in the country which also rose massive demonstrations, encouraged by the opposition and supported by the European Union and the United States; dozens were injured and at least 133 were detained since the beginning of the protests.

The Georgian Dream party decided to withdraw the controversial law two days later.

35 parliamentarians voted against the bill and only one in favor, as reported by the president of the parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, who closed the sessions, which were broadcasted live on all Georgian television channels.

jrr/llp/jcm/gfa