The statement of the Georgian ruling coalition about the "withdrawal" of the draft law "on foreign agents" adopted in the first reading contradicts the rules of the parliament and cannot be implemented.
This is evidenced by the statements of Georgian lawyers, experts and specialists in constitutional law and politicians.
As reported, on Thursday morning, after two nights of protests and violent dispersal of demonstrators outside the Georgian parliament, the Georgian authorities announced that they had withdrawn the scandalous bill on "foreign agents" that was passed in the first reading earlier in the week, which outraged Georgian society. This statement caused a positive reaction from international partners - in particular, the European Union welcomed the withdrawal of the project.
However, so far the recall is known only from the words of the authorities, and experts claim that this step is impossible. "Georgia online" quotes constitutionalist Vakhushti Menabde: "The law adopted in the first reading is not subject to review." The expert also reminded that the authorities registered two projects, and they promised to withdraw one - the one with which it is impossible to do so. At the same time, the second project, which envisages a tougher punishment for "foreign agents", can be withdrawn if all its initiators make such a request to the parliament.
Lawyer Lina Gvinianianidze claims the same. "There is no procedure for withdrawing a project that has passed the first reading. Such a bill should be put to a vote and rejected," she said. "They retreated only in words. It is impossible to withdraw the project approved in the first reading," non-governmental expert Sergi Kapanadze supported her.
And opposition deputy Ani Tsitlidze said that even if the project is rejected by the committees and the session hall, there is an opportunity to return to its consideration within a month.
Activists have already said that the protests will continue despite the government's statement.