TBILISI, Mar 9 Protesters in downtown Tbilisi demanded the resignation of the government and snap parliamentary elections.
This was stated by one of the activists during a speech at the rally, the footage is broadcast live by Georgian TV companies.
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«We are choosing a European future, and this leadership is deviating from the European path. Snap parliamentary elections and the resignation of the government are needed,” he said.
Tonight, demonstrators gathered in front of the parliament building to demand the release of all those detained during past rallies and the appointment of a plenary session for the final withdrawal of the law on foreign agents. The authorities complied with both requirements.
Now the action is coming to an end, the protesters are dispersing.
Large-scale protests over the law on foreign agents have been taking place in Tbilisi since March 7th. The police used water cannons and tear gas against the protesters. In two days, the security forces detained 133 people, today they were released.
The draft law «On the transparency of foreign influence» received by the Georgian parliament proposes to create a register of non-governmental organizations, media and entities receiving funding from a foreign state in the country.
Representatives of the ruling Georgian Dream party, which has a parliamentary majority, announced their intention to support the new bill, and if President Salome Zurabishvili vetoes it, the deputies will try to overcome it. According to oppositionists, a possible innovation alienates the country from the European Union.
On the very first day of the protests, Zurabishvili made a video message in which she expressed support for the demonstrators and promised to block the adoption of the controversial law. Today, representatives of the Georgian Dream party reported that the draft law on foreign agents was withdrawn from the parliament.