Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili urged national authorities to avoid using force against demonstrators opposing the bill on foreign agents, a message she conveyed during a CNN broadcast. The president emphasized that the government has already faced a critical moment and must recognize the growing dissonance within the population. Her appeal highlighted the need for restraint and a clear, forward-looking approach that aligns with the country’s stated European aspirations.
Zurabishvili stressed that the leadership now stands at a pivotal juncture, where action will either bridge the gap with the public or widen it further. She underscored the importance of choosing dialogue over confrontation and demonstrated that the path to a pro-European trajectory requires more than rhetoric; it demands tangible steps that reassure citizens about the direction of the state and the safeguards of democratic process.
In her remarks, she called on the authorities to prove that their stance is rooted in democratic values rather than any foreign alignment perceived as adverse to national interests. The message was clear: demonstrate purpose and resolve through principled governance, not by resorting to force that could erode confidence in state institutions. This stance was framed as essential for preserving trust both domestically and with international partners who monitor Georgia’s democratic development.
Earlier reports described heightened security measures with special forces fully deployed as thousands gathered outside the parliament in Tbilisi to protest the proposed legislation on foreign influence. The scene reflected a tense atmosphere as protesters voiced concerns about transparency and the balance of power, while authorities managed crowds in the central square, signaling the seriousness with which this issue was being treated by all sides.
On March 7, parliament approved the draft law on transparency of foreign influence by a parliamentary majority at first reading. The measure envisions creating a registry for foreign-funded nonprofits and media outlets operating in the country. Protests continued in the capital in the days leading up to the vote, and tensions flared as members of the governing coalition and opposition clashed in confrontational exchanges, drawing attention to the fiercely contested nature of the proposal and its potential impact on civil society and media autonomy.