Georgia’s Parliament Adopts “Foreign Agents” Bill
On May 14, Georgia’s parliament passed the highly controversial “foreign agents” bill, sparking weeks of protests and international criticism. The bill, likened to a Russian law used to suppress dissent, has raised concerns about its impact on NGOs and independent media critical of the government.
Committee Rejects Presidential Veto
Despite President Salome Zourabichvili’s veto, the parliament’s judiciary committee rejected it, setting the stage for the ruling party to override the veto in a full legislature vote.
Implications of the Law
The “foreign agents” law mandates organizations, including media outlets and nonprofits, to register if they receive over 20% of their funding from abroad. This registration labels them as entities serving foreign interests.
Independence Day Tensions
During Georgia’s Independence Day celebrations, tensions escalated as the president and prime minister clashed over the legislation. Zourabichvili criticized the law, emphasizing the importance of European partnership for the country’s future.
Meanwhile, PM Irakli Kobakhidze praised the country’s progress and accused the president of hindering Georgia’s path towards democracy.
Public Response and International Reactions
Protests erupted in Tbilisi against the “foreign agents” bill, with reports of clashes between demonstrators and police. A poll revealed strong public support for EU accession, while the EU criticized the law’s impact on Georgia’s European integration.
Additionally, the United States imposed travel sanctions on Georgian officials involved in undermining democracy, a move met with criticism from Tbilisi.