Some 20,000 people took part in a “March for Europe” in the Georgian capital Tbilisi on Sunday, demanding the government drop a controversial “foreign agents” bill that the European Union (EU) warned could harm Georgia’s bid to join the bloc.
The march was organized by around 100 non-governmental organizations and opposition parties, which have so far not played a visible role in the youth-dominated protest movement.
“The authorities that resubmitted the Russian bill violate the constitutional basis and change the country’s orientation, betraying the strong will of the people,” the organizers said in a statement.
According to the opponents of the plan, the Georgian bill is rewritten from the law on “foreign agents” already adopted in Russia, where it is used for repression against the opposition.
Protesters in Tbilisi marched from Republic Square to the Georgian Parliament.
The ruling party “Georgia’s Dream” has promised to take its supporters to the streets of the city on Monday.
During Sunday’s action, the demonstrators tried to reach the stage prepared for the speakers of the demonstration of the supporters of the bill.
Some people were detained, including former European Integration Minister Aleksi Petriashvili. Police used pepper spray in clashes with protesters.
On Monday, the Georgian Parliament will consider the controversial bill in the second reading.
