Controversial 'Russian law' passes first reading in Georgia parliament

Opponents say the foreign agent bill would obstruct Georgia’s long-sought prospects of joining the European Union.

Transcript

00:00 Police in the capital of Georgia unleashed tear gas to break up a large demonstration

00:05 for the third night outside the country`s parliament.

00:08 Demonstrators protest against a proposed law that would require media and noncommercial

00:12 organizations to register as being under foreign influence if they receive more than 20 percent

00:18 of their funding from abroad.

00:20 Opponents say the proposal would obstruct Georgia`s long sought prospects of joining

00:24 the EU.

00:25 We think that civil society, journalism, media organizations are cornerstones to any democratic

00:31 society.

00:32 And we urge the Georgian government to heed warnings that this bill is not in line with

00:37 the European Union`s norms and values, and it certainly would negatively impact Georgia`s

00:41 progress on its EU path.

00:44 Georgia`s parliament has voted on Wednesday on the first reading to approve the draft

00:48 law.

00:51 One president has said she would veto the law if it`s passed by parliament in the third

00:55 reading.

00:56 But the ruling party can override the veto by collecting 76 votes.

01:01 (shouting)

01:03 [WHOOSH]