(NewsWorthy.news) – Legislators in the nation of Georgia resorted to a physical altercation this week when discussing a controversial bill related to foreign policy.
The fight in the parliament building preceded a large protest in the capital city of Tbilisi that took place hours later. At its center is a piece of legislation that was brought up by the Georgian Dream party, which rules the state. It would require media and non-commercial organizations to be considered under foreign influence if over 20% of their funding comes from out of the country.
Those who oppose the proposal have dubbed it “the Russian law,” citing its similarities to bills that have been passed in that country which pose independent news and media groups as being in opposition to the government. One video circulating online depicts Mamuka Mdinaradze, the Georgian Dream leader, getting punched in the face while speaking. A lawmaker from the other side suddenly rushed up and struck his opponent, joined by several more who engaged in a brawl.
The so-called “Russian law” is very similar to a legislative proposal that was dropped by the governing party in 2023 due to massive protests in the streets. On Monday April 15, Georgians once again gathered outside the parliament, chanting patriotic tunes and calling out “slaves” to indicate their opposition to what the people considered a cave to pressure from Russia.
Those against the bill argue that it would keep the country from becoming a part of the European Union, an effort that was finally approved in 2023. Even as the ruling political party promotes the legislation, President Salome Zourabichvili has said via her representative Girogi Mskhiladze that she would veto the bill if it came to her from parliament.
The fight among lawmakers proved to be the first of its kind this week, as up to 10,000 demonstrators gathered outside the parliament building on Tuesday, the day after the first protest. Police came on the scene to deploy a crowd-control substance in an effort to disperse the riot, which caused tensions between law enforcement and citizens.
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