Georgia’s ruling party rejects one of requirements for EU accession
Photo: Georgian authorities refused to fulfill a condition for EU accession (Getty Images)
The Georgian government will not fulfill one of the requirements to resume progress toward EU membership. This involves repealing the so-called "foreign agents" law, according to First Channel.
The statement was made by Mamuka Mdinaradze, secretary of the ruling Georgian Dream party. Journalists asked if Georgian Dream would repeal the "Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence", also referred to as the "foreign agents" law, after the elections.
"No. You may not like it, but we will not repeal it," he replied.
According to him, if this law had not been adopted in Georgia, "tens of thousands of people would now be standing on Rustaveli Avenue."
"This law and the ban on propaganda (referring to the law banning LGBT propaganda) were legitimized by the majority of the Georgian people," Mdinaradze stated.
Political turbulence in Georgia
Last Saturday, parliamentary elections were held in Georgia. The voting process witnessed widespread ballot-stuffing, violations, and scuffles.
According to the Central Election Commission of Georgia, the pro-Russian Georgian Dream party, which has ruled the country for more than 10 years, won the election. Four opposition parties crossed the 5% threshold and entered parliament, but they refused to recognize the election results. A post-election protest took place in Tbilisi.
The European Commission noted in its enlargement report that Georgia must change course for further European integration.
