Tensions Rise as Georgian President Blocks Anti-LGBT Bill, Triggering Political and International Backlash
TBILISI, GEORGIA- Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has refused to sign a controversial bill passed by parliament last month, which rights groups claim severely restricts LGBT rights in the country.
The “family values” bill, championed by the ruling Georgian Dream party, passed on September 17 with an 84-0 vote, as opposition lawmakers boycotted the session and protests erupted outside the parliament.
In a bold move, Zurabishvili returned the bill to parliament without comment, citing constitutional provisions. This comes just weeks before Georgia’s national elections, further exposing the deep political divide within the country.
Parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili, a Georgian Dream member and co-sponsor of the bill, is expected to sign the bill into law within five days, bypassing the president’s refusal.
The bill, titled On Family Values and Protection of Minors, proposes sweeping changes to 18 laws, including restrictions on free speech and expression. It bans public gatherings that promote gender identities other than “biological sex” and prohibits advocacy for same-sex relationships.
Opposition Boycott and Foreign Relations at Stake
The opposition has been boycotting parliament since May when Georgian Dream lawmakers passed a contentious “foreign influence” law, likened to Russia’s “foreign agent” legislation. Despite heavy criticism from Western governments, including the U.S. and EU, the ruling party overrode Zurabishvili’s veto on that bill as well.
The U.S. has since imposed sanctions on over 60 Georgian individuals linked to undermining democracy, while the EU has paused Georgia’s accession talks.
As the October 26 elections approach, the Georgian Dream party remains the frontrunner, though political tensions and international criticism are at an all-time high.
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