Georgia’s ruling party said yesterday it would eventually withdraw the “foreign agents” bill after intense protests that ended with two nights of violent crackdown on peaceful demonstrations and criticism that the bill would curtail press freedom and undermine the country’s efforts to become a presidential candidate. EU membership. The ruling Georgian Dream party said in a statement that “we will unconditionally withdraw the bill we supported without any footnotes.” He referred to the need to reduce “confrontation” in society.

The protesters’ victory was hailed by Georgia’s pro-Western president, critical of the government but with limited powers, and the interior minister announced the release of the arrested protesters.

On Wednesday, hundreds of police officers, many with shields, used water cannons and tear gas in clashes with protesters in Tbilisi, and more than 60 protesters were arrested outside the parliament building.

Earlier, thousands of people took to the streets to protest against a bill that would require any organization that receives more than 20% of its funding from abroad to be recognized by the state as a “foreign agent” or subject to hefty fines.

Demonstrators holding the flags of Georgia, the EU. and Ukraine, gathered outside the parliament building and chanted: “No to Russian law.” They also blocked the main Rustaveli Avenue after calling on the main opposition party, the United National Movement, to gather there.

Satisfaction in the EU

The EU Delegation to Georgia welcomed the announcement, saying it wanted to “call on all political leaders in Georgia to repeat reforms in support of the EU”. in a constructive way that does not encourage exceptions of any kind.”

The EU is considering Georgia’s application for the status of a candidate country. Earlier, European Council President Charles Michel warned that the passage of the so-called Foreign Agents Bill “is not in line with the path set by the EU.” Before the bill was explicitly repealed, the protesters were determined to continue. “Tonight I will again go to the rally, we cannot stop,” said one of the protesters on condition of anonymity. “This is our big chance to end all ties with Russia. We want to be with the EU.”

Anti-Russian sentiment is prevalent in Georgia, which was once part of the Soviet Union, due to Russia’s longstanding support for two breakaway regions and Russia’s brief 2008 invasion of the country. Many Georgians support Ukraine in its war against Russia, and recent polls show that 85% of Georgians support the country’s accession to the EU.

Speaking on Wednesday evening, Ukrainian President Zelenskiy said: “Let democracy win” in Georgia.