Speaker requests Venice Commission not to prepare opinion on Foreign Agent bills
Speaker requests Venice Commission not to prepare opinion on Foreign Agent bills

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Thursday appealed to the President of the Venice Commission, Claire Bazy Malaurie, not to consider the request to prepare a legal opinion on the draft laws on Transparency of Foreign Influence and Registration of Foreign Agents.

“The proposed bills sparked different opinions in Georgian society. False narratives and labels have misled citizens and contributed to the confrontation. Accordingly, the ruling party has decided to withdraw said bills and halt further legislative debate.

Therefore, please dismiss our request for a legal opinion on these bills and halt the consideration process,” reads the Speaker’s letter to the Venice Commission’s President.

The parliamentary majority on Thursday decided to withdraw the draft law “On the Transparency of Foreign Influence,” following the consultations between the ruling Georgian Dream political council and People’s Power.