Georgia’s legislative body is poised to approve a deeply contentious "foreign agents" bill, which has sparked extensive demonstrations throughout the former Soviet republic nestled in the Caucasus Mountains.
This decision follows massive protests in Tbilisi, where tens of thousands voiced opposition to the proposed legislation.
Here's a breakdown of the controversial law and the widespread outcry it has generated.
What’s in the law?
The proposed law would mandate that organizations obtaining over 20% of their funding from overseas register as "agents of foreign influence" or face severe fines.
Drafted by the ruling Georgian Dream party and its allies who hold sway in parliament, the bill is scheduled for a vote on Tuesday, with anticipated passage.
Georgia's President, Salome Zourabichvili, denounced the legislation as a direct replica of Russia's equivalent law in a CNN interview.
Despite Zourabichvili's pledge to veto the bill, her authority is largely symbolic in Georgia's parliamentary system. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze holds substantial power, as does Bidzina Ivanishvili, the billionaire founder of Georgian Dream and former Prime Minister, who wields considerable political clout.
Why is it so controversial?
There are a couple of factors at play here.
The proposed legislation mirrors a similar law in Russia, which the Kremlin has utilized to progressively stifle opposition and civil society. Concerns among many Georgians revolve around the potential misuse of their foreign agents bill, mirroring tactics seen in their northern neighbor: suppressing dissent and curtailing freedom of expression by targeting non-governmental organizations with overseas financial ties.
Georgian Dream argues that the law will enhance transparency and safeguard national sovereignty, pushing back against Western criticism of the proposal.
However, the looming enactment of this legislation touches upon a deeper question: the direction of Georgia's future, whether it aligns with Europe or Russia.
Since gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Georgia, like Ukraine, has found itself caught between these two geopolitical forces.
Many Georgians harbor strong animosity toward the Kremlin, particularly following the 2008 invasion of Georgia and the occupation of roughly 20% of its internationally recognized territory—analogous to Russia's occupation in Ukraine.
Georgian Dream has faced persistent accusations of harboring pro-Russian sentiments, notably due to founder Bidzina Ivanishvili's wealth amassed during the Soviet era.
How do most Georgians feel about it?
Passion runs high on this issue, to the extent that legislators even resorted to physical altercations over the bill.
Surveys indicate that approximately 80% of Georgians favor integration with the European Union over aligning further with the Kremlin, sparking fervent protests from those advocating for closer ties with the West.
Nightly mass protests against the legislation have engulfed Tbilisi for the past month. On Sunday evening, around 50,000 individuals gathered in the capital—a city of roughly 1 million—to denounce what they perceive as "the Russian law."
Counter-demonstrations have also occurred, with the normally reclusive Ivanishvili making a rare appearance to address a crowd of supporters transported to Tbilisi from Georgia's rural areas, where Georgian Dream garners more backing.
During his speech, Ivanishvili exhibited deep-seated paranoia and an authoritarian streak, alleging that Georgia is under the sway of "a pseudo-elite nurtured by a foreign power" and vowing to target his political adversaries following October's elections.
Didn’t Georgia already go through this?
Indeed, it was just last year.
Georgia's authorities attempted to enact identical legislation but faced a humiliating retreat following a week of impassioned protests, during which citizens wielding EU flags were repelled by water cannons.
The bill resurfaced in March, approximately a month after Kobakhidze assumed the role of Prime Minister. This time around, it appears that authorities are resolute in their efforts to advance the legislation.
What have other countries said?
In a message on X, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan expressed profound concern regarding the erosion of democracy in Georgia.
Sullivan emphasized that Georgian lawmakers face a pivotal decision – whether to uphold the aspirations of the Georgian people for integration with Euro-Atlantic institutions or to enact a foreign agents' law reminiscent of Kremlin tactics, which contradicts democratic principles. He affirmed the United States' solidarity with the Georgian populace.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin asserted that the legislation aims to stir up anti-Russian sentiments and suggested that external forces are behind the protests opposing it.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated in April that many countries are adopting measures to safeguard themselves against foreign interference in domestic affairs. He emphasized that there is no basis to link the bill with Russian influence on Georgian politics.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen conveyed her deep concern over the situation in Georgia in a recent statement, reaffirming Brussels' apprehension regarding the law.
Von der Leyen underscored that Georgia stands at a pivotal juncture and urged the country to remain committed to its path towards European integration.
Could the law impact Georgia’s ability to join the EU?
Absolutely.
In 2022, Georgia submitted its application for EU membership, and in December of the same year, it was granted candidate status, marking a significant albeit initial stage in the journey towards becoming a member of the European bloc. However, Brussels recently cautioned that the enactment of the law would have adverse effects on Georgia's trajectory towards EU accession.
According to EU officials, Georgia boasts a dynamic civil society that has played a pivotal role in the country's strides towards EU membership. They expressed concerns that the proposed legislation could curtail the activities of civil society and media organizations, potentially restricting freedom of expression and unfairly stigmatizing entities that provide valuable services to the Georgian populace.
The EU called upon Georgia to refrain from adopting legislation that could jeopardize its EU aspirations, a path strongly endorsed by the vast majority of Georgian citizens.
