GEORGIA’s parliament voted today to drop controversial new legislation, which it earlier approved in an initial reading, sparking an international outcry and mass protests in the Caucasus country.

Tens of thousands took to the streets this week after lawmakers moved to introduce the “foreign agent” law.

Today, the bill was voted down in second reading after only one lawmaker – out of 36 who voted – backed the legislation that critics compared with laws in Russia that authorities have leveraged to silence Kremlin’s opponents.

Hundreds of anti-government protesters rallied outside the legislature during the vote.

Protesters clashed with police on Tuesday and Wednesday and law enforcement fired water cannons and tear gas at the demonstrators.

The Georgian Dream ruling party backtracked under pressure, announcing on Thursday that it would drop the bill.

But opposition parties said in a joint statement that the protests would continue, pointing to a lack of guarantees “that Georgia is firmly on a pro-Western course”.

Georgian authorities have faced mounting international criticism over a perceived backsliding on democracy, seriously damaging Tbilisi’s ties with Brussels.

The ruling party has insisted it remains committed to Georgia’s European Union and Nato membership bid, enshrined in the constitution and supported – according to opinion polls – by 80% of the population.

Georgia applied for EU membership along with Ukraine and Moldova days after Russia invaded Ukraine in February, 2022.

Last June, EU leaders granted formal candidate status to Kyiv and Chisinau, but said Tbilisi must implement reforms first. – AFP, March 10, 2023.