Opposition leader denounces alleged coercion of business community to support “Russian law”

Levan Khabeishvili, Chairman of the United National Movement opposition party, spoke out on Friday against what he described as attempts to pressure the business community into backing a proposed foreign transparency bill by the ruling party. According to Khabeishvili, the business community was summoned to the Government office with the intent of exerting such pressure.

Khabeishvili expressed “unwavering solidarity” with those who have been unlawfully detained and subjected to violence during protests against the bill. He stressed the “urgent need to protect Georgia’s path towards European integration”. Highlighting recent incidents, including alleged aggression towards media outlets, Khabeishvili underscored the “alarming erosion of law enforcement and unchecked abuse of power”.

The Chairman criticized the “deceptive nature” of the bill, arguing that instead of safeguarding citizens’ interests, it has become a tool for intimidation and suppression. He called upon all Georgians to unite against threats to democracy and freedom.

Both the European Union and the United States of America have repeatedly warned the Georgian authorities that passing the bill could impede Georgia’s progress towards European integration.

The bill, passed by the Georgian Dream party on May 1 in its second reading, received 83 votes in favor and 23 against. While the substance of the bill largely remained unchanged, the title was revised to replace the term “agent” with “Organization Pursuing the Interests of a Foreign Power” for entities deriving more than 20 percent of their incomes from abroad.