Earlier this month, the ruling party in Georgia reintroduced a controversial “foreign influence” bill to parliament. This bill, which was initially presented in 2023 and withdrawn due to public opposition, requires media and civil society groups to register as being under “foreign influence” if they receive more than 20 percent of their funding from overseas.
The bill has caused mass protests, with thousands of people taking to the streets in opposition. Critics argue that the bill resembles a repressive Russian law on “foreign agents” and will hinder Georgia’s aspirations for closer ties with the European Union.
Despite boycotts from the opposition, the ruling party pushed the bill through its first reading with the support of 83 politicians. Protesters gathered in front of the parliament building in Tbilisi, chanting “No to the Russian law!” and expressing their disapproval of the government’s actions.
Protests have also taken place in other cities across Georgia. The prime minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, defended the bill as a way to increase transparency for NGOs funded by Western institutions. However, EU and US officials have raised concerns that the legislation could harm Georgia’s progress towards European integration.
Amnesty International has called on Georgian authorities to halt their efforts to impose repressive laws on civil society. Despite the opposition, the ruling party is expected to pass the bill in further readings with its majority in parliament, potentially derailing Georgia’s path towards European membership.