Hungary’s MVM set to acquire E.ON’s energy supply operations in Romania
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Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has declined to sign a bill passed by parliament last month that many rights groups and opposition figures argue severely limits LGBT rights.
The "family values" bill was approved on September 17 by the ruling Georgian Dream party with an 84-0 vote. Opposition lawmakers boycotted the session.
In accordance with the Georgian Constitution, Zurabishvili returned the bill to parliament without written comments, as confirmed by her office on October 2, reflecting Georgia's deep political divide as the country heads towards national elections in October.
Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, a Georgian Dream member and bill co-sponsor, is expected to sign the law within five days.
The bill, titled "On Family Values and Protection of Minors," proposes changes to 18 laws, including those on free speech and expression, and bans gatherings that advocate gender identity beyond "biological sex" or support same-sex relationships.
The bill bans “LGBT propaganda,” same-sex marriage and adoption, and gender-affirming treatments. Media outlets are also barred from airing content "promoting LGBT relationships".
Civil society groups and opposition parties have heavily criticized the legislation, accusing Georgian Dream of using the bill to stoke fear and rally support ahead of parliamentary elections on 26 October.
The bill is another nail in the coffin of Georgia's hopes of joining the EU. The bloc's High Representative Josep Borrell said on social media that the bill would “increase discrimination and stigmatisation”.
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