Critics argue that the foreign influence bill, causing friction between the president and prime minister, will hinder media freedom and damage Georgia's bid to join the European Union.
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00:00 Georgia's President and Prime Minister have exchanged criticisms over a foreign influence
00:07 law as the country marked Independence Day.
00:10 Georgians took part in events to commemorate 106 years since the country declared independence
00:15 from the Russian Empire.
00:17 But this year's celebration comes as tensions mount over the controversial legislation that
00:22 critics view as a threat to democracy.
00:28 In her speech, President Salameh Zubishvili said, "The fate of our country is in our hands."
00:33 "The fate of our country is in our hands.
00:34 The fate of our country is in our hands."
00:35 "The fate of our country is in our hands."
00:36 "The fate of our country is in our hands."
00:37 "The fate of our country is in our hands."
00:38 "The fate of our country is in our hands."
00:39 "The fate of our country is in our hands."
00:40 "The fate of our country is in our hands."
00:41 "The fate of our country is in our hands."
00:42 "The fate of our country is in our hands."
00:43 "The fate of our country is in our hands."
00:44 "The fate of our country is in our hands."
00:45 "The fate of our country is in our hands."
00:46 "The fate of our country is in our hands."
00:47 "The fate of our country is in our hands."
01:12 But Prime Minister Iraqli Kobayatja hit back, saying his government was guarding the sovereignty
01:17 and independence of Georgia.
01:41 The controversial legislation which has sparked weeks of protests was passed by parliament
01:46 earlier this month.
01:48 It requires media and non-governmental organizations to register as pursuing the interests of a
01:53 foreign power if they receive more than 20 percent of their budget from abroad.
02:02 Protesters say it's anti-democratic and could derail the country's chances of joining the
02:06 EU.
02:07 "Georgian democracy is seriously dented because of the state, oligarchic state capture and
02:15 decreased Russian influence.
02:17 And the primary reason why these people are standing in the streets is to regain our country
02:22 back and to make Georgia's democratic trajectory intact."
02:29 Last week, the president vetoed the bill, calling it unacceptable.
02:33 But the ruling Georgian Dream Party has a majority sufficient to override that veto
02:37 and is widely expected to do so.
02:40 [Whoosh]