Georgia's president, prime minister trade barbs over vetoed foreign influence law

euronews (in English)

Critics argue that the foreign influence bill, causing friction between the president and prime minister, will hinder media freedom and damage Georgia's bid to join the European Union.

Transcript

00:00 Georgia's President and Prime Minister have exchanged criticisms over a foreign influence

00:07 law as the country marked Independence Day.

00:10 Georgians took part in events to commemorate 106 years since the country declared independence

00:15 from the Russian Empire.

00:17 But this year's celebration comes as tensions mount over the controversial legislation that

00:22 critics view as a threat to democracy.

00:28 In her speech, President Salameh Zubishvili said, "The fate of our country is in our hands."

00:33 "The fate of our country is in our hands.

00:34 The fate of our country is in our hands."

00:35 "The fate of our country is in our hands."

00:36 "The fate of our country is in our hands."

00:37 "The fate of our country is in our hands."

00:38 "The fate of our country is in our hands."

00:39 "The fate of our country is in our hands."

00:40 "The fate of our country is in our hands."

00:41 "The fate of our country is in our hands."

00:42 "The fate of our country is in our hands."

00:43 "The fate of our country is in our hands."

00:44 "The fate of our country is in our hands."

00:45 "The fate of our country is in our hands."

00:46 "The fate of our country is in our hands."

00:47 "The fate of our country is in our hands."

01:12 But Prime Minister Iraqli Kobayatja hit back, saying his government was guarding the sovereignty

01:17 and independence of Georgia.

01:41 The controversial legislation which has sparked weeks of protests was passed by parliament

01:46 earlier this month.

01:48 It requires media and non-governmental organizations to register as pursuing the interests of a

01:53 foreign power if they receive more than 20 percent of their budget from abroad.

02:02 Protesters say it's anti-democratic and could derail the country's chances of joining the

02:06 EU.

02:07 "Georgian democracy is seriously dented because of the state, oligarchic state capture and

02:15 decreased Russian influence.

02:17 And the primary reason why these people are standing in the streets is to regain our country

02:22 back and to make Georgia's democratic trajectory intact."

02:29 Last week, the president vetoed the bill, calling it unacceptable.

02:33 But the ruling Georgian Dream Party has a majority sufficient to override that veto

02:37 and is widely expected to do so.

02:40 [Whoosh]

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