Georgia’s first approval for the law on foreign influences. Stop by the EU

(ANSA) – ROME, APRIL 17 – The Georgian Parliament has approved at first reading a controversial law on foreign influence, compared by its critics to a repressive Russian law on “foreign agents” and causing large demonstrations in the Caucasian country. In a vote boycotted by the opposition, the ruling Georgian Dream party voted 83 to zero in favor of the law, which protesters say is repressive and could threaten Georgia’s rapprochement with the European Union. Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili, however, said she will veto the bill on foreign agents if it is adopted in three readings. A stop also comes from the EU: “This is a very worrying development and the definitive adoption of this law would have a negative impact on Georgia’s progress on its path towards the EU. This law is not in line with the rules and fundamental values ​​of the EU”, states the EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Josep Borrell (ANSA).