Georgia passes 'Russia-style' law on foreign influence despite U.S. warnings and mass protests

• Georgia's ruling government insisted the legislation is necessary despite some of the largest demonstrations the country has seen since declaring independence from the Soviet Union more than 30 years ago.
• The foreign influence bill calls for media outlets, nonprofits and other nongovernmental organizations to register as "pursuing the interests of a foreign power" if they receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad.
• Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili has previously vowed to veto the bill. However, the parliament can override her veto by holding an additional vote.

Georgian lawmakers on Tuesday passed a highly controversial "Kremlin-style" law on foreign influence, despite massive protests in the country and repeated warnings from the U.S. and European Union.

Members of the Georgian Parliament physically came to blows as lawmakers held the third and final reading of the so-called "foreign agents" bill, before ultimately approving the legislation.

Of the country's 150-member law-making body, 84 membersvoted in favor, with 30 voting against.

The ruling Georgian Dream party has insisted the legislation is necessary, despite some of the largest demonstrations the country has seen since declaring independence from the Soviet Union more than 30 years ago.

The foreign influence bill calls for media outlets, nonprofits and other nongovernmental organizations to register as "pursuing the interests of a foreign power" if they receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad.

Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili has previously vowed to veto the bill. The parliament, however, can override her veto by holding an additional vote.

Russia, which occupies about 20% of Georgia's internationally recognized territory, has