What's happened
Georgia's ruling party leader was assaulted in parliament over a controversial bill requiring organizations funded from abroad to register as 'foreign agents.' The bill passed the first reading, sparking protests and condemnation from the US State Department.
Why it matters
The assault on the ruling party leader and the passage of the contentious bill have heightened tensions in Georgia, drawing criticism from Western countries and sparking protests. The outcome of this legislation could have significant implications for civil society and Georgia's relations with the West.
What the papers say
Politico reports that the US State Department condemned the bill as 'Kremlin-inspired,' while Sky News highlighted the protests in Georgia against the bill, with thousands demonstrating against what they see as a move towards Russian authoritarianism. Al Jazeera and The Guardian covered the assault on Mamuka Mdinaradze and the broader implications of the bill on Georgia's political landscape.
How we got here
Georgia's ruling party, Georgian Dream, introduced a bill requiring organizations funded from abroad to register as 'foreign agents,' sparking widespread protests and condemnation from Western countries. The bill, reminiscent of Russian legislation, has reignited tensions between pro-government and anti-government factions in Georgia.
Common question
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Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia is the governing party of Georgia. The party was established on 19 April 2012 by the billionaire businessman and politician Bidzina Ivanishvili.
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