Tension in Georgian Parliament: MPs involved in frenzied brawl
Brawl in the Georgian Parliament: tensions around a controversial bill
A surreal scene occurred in the Georgian Parliament on Monday. MPs came to blows in the middle of the chamber, while it was debating the reintroduction of the controversial bill on “foreign agents”.
A text deemed liberticidal and inspired by Russian legislation
This bill, which already provoked large-scale demonstrations last year, is considered liberticidal by its detractors. It is inspired by Russian legislation targeting critics of power. The first version was abandoned after protests bringing together tens of thousands of people in Tbilisi in March 2023.
A fight breaks out in the middle of the hemicycle
When the debates began, several deputies came to blows. Footage from the parliamentary session shows an opposition lawmaker punching a ruling party lawmaker who co-drafted the bill in the head. This altercation caused a widespread fight and the interruption of the live broadcast.
A bill that deeply divides
In Georgia, a country which aims to join the European Union, this text inspired by a Russian law used to persecute dissident voices is deeply dividing. Demonstrations took place in front of Parliament, with the display of a large EU flag in protest. A large rally is planned for the evening against this bill.
Towards a rapprochement with Russia?
Georgia wants to deepen its relations with the West, but the ruling party is accused of wanting to bring this former Soviet republic closer to Russia. The return of this law, criticized by Brussels, risks reviving deep divisions.
The Georgian Dream in turmoil
The ruling Georgian Dream party is accused of secretly collaborating with the Kremlin. According to experts, he considers the financing of certain NGOs and media by Westerners as a challenge to his control over the country. The law aims to neutralize Western influence, while sabotaging Georgia’s European path, supported by around 80% of the population.
Reforms necessary for EU membership
Georgia was granted official candidate status for EU membership in December, but Tbilisi still needs to make judicial and electoral reforms, strengthen press freedom and curb the power of oligarchs before negotiations are actually launched. The United States considered that the adoption of such a text would “derail Georgia from its European path”.
Tensions between the ruling party and the Georgian president
The return of the bill to Parliament should also reignite tensions between the ruling party and the Georgian president, Salomé Zourabichvili, a fierce supporter of rapprochement with the EU. In 2023, she openly supported the protesters. However, its prerogatives are limited.