A heated debate took place during the discussion of the draft law “On the Transparency of Foreign Influence” at its second reading at the Parliament’s legal affairs committee meeting.

Committee chair Anri Okhanashvili warned opposition MP Giorgi Vashadze for speaking without a microphone and instructed him to focus on the content of the draft law. Okhanashvili called for substantive questions and warned Vashadze against making political assessments.

“Political assessments can be made on the camera. The issue is to be discussed content-wise. Make a content evaluation and ask substantive questions. You are interested in a provocation, while we are interested in a substantive discussion,” Okhanashvili stated.

In response, Vashadze claimed that those supporting the changes were Russians, prompting objections from the majority of the committee.

Additionally, MP Levan Bezhashvili of the opposition United National Movement was also compelled to leave the session after Okhanashvili accused him of speaking without a microphone.

Bezhashvili described the meeting as a “kindergarten” due to the heated exchanges.

Opposition MP Tamar Kordzaia was also forced to leave the session after the committee chair accused her of violating the regulations.

On her to leave the committee hall, Kordzaia stated, “She is still not happy to be with traitors,” which provoked strong objections from the majority of committee members.

Similarly, opposition MP Salome Samadashvili was expelled from the session. Before departing, she expressed concerns that the proposed bill would result in Georgia losing its visa liberalization with the European Union.

In response, chairman Okhanashvili turned off Samadashvili’s microphone, prompting her protest.