Yesterday, Georgia’s parliament recently passed a contentious “foreign agents” bill, despite substantial domestic opposition and warnings from the European Union (EU) about its potential consequences for Georgia’s EU membership aspirations. The new law mandates that organizations receiving over 20% of their funding from abroad must register as “agents of foreign influence,” with severe fines for non-compliance. Critics argue that the legislation mirrors Russian laws used to suppress opposition and civil society.
The bill’s passage was marked by significant unrest. Riot police intervened after protesters in Tbilisi breached barriers and entered the parliamentary grounds. Many Georgians worry that their country’s government will use the bill similarly to Russia, targeting dissent and eroding civil liberties. President Salome Zourabichvili has promised to veto the legislation, but the parliament can override her veto with a simple majority.
This bill has sparked a cultural clash within Georgia, a nation striving to align more closely with Europe while facing pressure from Russia. Opinion polls indicate that around 80% of Georgians favor EU membership, yet Moscow’s influence remains strong. Georgia applied for EU membership in 2022 and was granted candidate status in December, a move aimed at steering the former Soviet republic away from Russia. However, EU leaders have emphasized that the bill’s enactment would jeopardize Georgia’s chances of joining the bloc.
The United States has also expressed concern about the bill and the possibility of democratic regression in Georgia. The ruling Georgian Dream party, which pushed the bill through, claims it will enhance transparency and uphold national sovereignty. However, the party’s founder, billionaire former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili, has been accused of pro-Russian tendencies, having amassed his wealth in the Soviet Union.
President Zourabichvili has denounced the bill as a “Russian law,” arguing that Georgians recognize these tactics from Soviet-era propaganda and will resist them. The bill has led to heated debates in parliament, resulting in physical altercations between lawmakers. The legislation has become a focal point for mass protests, with tens of thousands gathering nightly in Tbilisi to voice their opposition.
These protests are driven by long-standing resentment towards Russia, particularly its invasion of Georgia in 2008 and its ongoing occupation of about 20% of Georgian territory. Demonstrators fear that the bill threatens their country’s future and its alignment with the West. Protester Levan Khabeishvili, who was beaten by police, described the law as another attempt by Moscow to assert control in the region.
The Kremlin has dismissed criticism of the bill as foreign interference, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov calling it an internal matter for Georgia. The legislation’s passage has prompted strong reactions from the international community, including warnings from the U.S. that it may reassess its relationship with Georgia. U.S. officials have hinted at possible financial and travel restrictions if the bill is not amended to meet EU norms.
Georgia’s ruling party maintains that the bill is necessary for maintaining sovereignty and combating foreign influence. However, opposition parties and civil society groups argue that it threatens Georgia’s EU integration and undermines democratic values. The upcoming elections in October are seen as an opportunity for the population to challenge the bill and potentially reverse its effects.
As Georgia stands at this crossroads, the country’s future direction—towards Europe or back towards Russia—remains uncertain. The ongoing protests and international reactions underscore the high stakes and deep divisions within Georgian society over this controversial legislation.
Red = Location where Georgia is located in the United States
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