Georgian President to Appeal to Constitutional Court Demanding Repeal of 'Russian' Law

Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili will file a complaint with the Constitutional Court on Monday, demanding the annulment of the so-called 'foreign agents' law, reports TV Pirveli.

'Today, the president will challenge the 'Russian' law in the Constitutional Court. Salome Zourabichvili believes that the law adopted by 'Georgian Dream' is unpatriotic and incompatible with the constitution. If the Constitutional Court accepts the president’s appeal, Eka Beselia will represent her interests,' the television station reports.

Beselia explained in a conversation with the television network that the president’s appeal will demand an assessment of whether the adopted law complies with Article 78 of the Georgian Constitution. This article stipulates that constitutional bodies are obliged to take all measures to ensure the country’s full integration into the EU and NATO.

'The appeal demands to suspend the operation of the norm as long as the Constitutional Court has not materially resolved this dispute, meaning that the operation of this law is suspended in the initial phase,' Beselia stated.

Social organizations are also planning to file their appeals with the Constitutional Court on Monday. Members of the NGO claim that the law contradicts constitutional articles related to the rights of assembly, equality, and privacy.

On May 14, the Georgian Parliament adopted the 'Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence' in its third and final reading, despite massive street protests. On May 18, President Zourabichvili vetoed the 'foreign agents' law, labeling it 'Russian' (a similar law was recently adopted in Russia) and 'unconstitutional.'

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili signed the law after the president refused to do so. At that time, Papuashvili explained that within 60 days after the law's signing, the Ministry of Justice of Georgia would develop all necessary regulations and create an electronic portal for organizations.

After 60 days, organizations with significant foreign funding will be required to register in the portal and submit declarations. The adoption of this law in Georgia has provoked discontent in the West. The USA and the EU have announced a review of their relations with Georgia: the American side has already canceled planned military exercises, while the EU has frozen funding from the Georgian Ministry of Defense.