Understanding the Controversial 'Foreign Agents' Bill in Georgia and Europe's Concerns
As Georgia's parliament prepares to approve the contentious 'foreign agents' bill, protests have erupted in the former Soviet Republic located in the picturesque Caucasus Mountains. The proposed legislation has raised alarm bells in Europe, sparking concerns over its implications and impact on democratic values.
Georgia's parliament is on the verge of approving a highly contentious "foreign agents" bill that has sparked numerous protests throughout the country nestled in the Caucasus Mountains.
This decision follows massive demonstrations in the capital city of Tbilisi, where tens of thousands of individuals expressed their opposition to the proposed legislation.
Here’s what you need to know about the proposed law and the uproar it has caused.
What’s in the law?
The bill, if passed, would mandate that organizations that receive over 20% of their funding from foreign sources must register as "agents of foreign influence" or risk facing significant fines.
This legislation was put forward by the Georgian Dream party, which currently holds the majority in parliament along with its allies. The proposal is set to be voted on this Tuesday and is anticipated to be approved.
Georgia President Salome Zourabichvili told CNN that the bill is essentially the same as the one in Russia.
Despite her promise to veto the bill, her power is limited. In Georgia's parliamentary system, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze holds the real authority. Additionally, former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili, the billionaire founder of Georgian Dream, has substantial political sway.
About 50,000 protesters gathered in Tbilisi to protest the proposed legislation on Sunday.
About 50,000 protesters gathered in Tbilisi to protest the proposed legislation on Sunday.
Vano Shlamov/AFP/Getty Images
Why is it so controversial?
The proposed law in Georgia is similar to one in Russia, which the Kremlin has used to suppress opposition and civil society. Many Georgians are concerned that their foreign agents bill will be used in the same way as in Russia - to silence dissent and restrict free expression by targeting non-governmental organizations with foreign financial links.
Georgian Dream argues that the legislation will enhance transparency and national sovereignty and has responded to Western criticism regarding the proposal.
However, the potential approval of the law has raised a fundamental question: where does Georgia's future ultimately belong, with Europe or Russia?
Georgia, like Ukraine, has been in a difficult position since gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
There is a strong sense of animosity among many Georgians towards the Kremlin. In 2008, the Kremlin invaded Georgia and currently occupies approximately 20% of its internationally recognized territory, similar to the situation in Ukraine with Russia.
Georgian Dream has long been accused of harboring pro-Russian sympathies, especially given that Ivanishvili made his fortune in the Soviet Union.
How do most Georgians feel about it?
Lawmakers were so passionate about the bill that they even came to blows over it at one point.
Polls indicate that approximately 80% of Georgians prefer joining the European Union over getting closer to the Kremlin. Many of those who support strengthening connections with the West have been demonstrating on the streets.
CNN's Anna Coren speaks to Giorgi Revishvili about Georgia's foreign agents bill, known to critics as the so called "Russian law."
CNN's Anna Coren speaks to Giorgi Revishvili about Georgia's foreign agents bill, known to critics as the so called "Russian law."
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Explaining the controversy surrounding Georgia’s foreign agents bill
Massive protests have been taking place in Tbilisi for the past month against a controversial bill. On Sunday evening, around 50,000 people gathered in the capital city, which has a population of about 1 million, to oppose what they call "the Russian law."
In addition to the protests, there have also been counter-demonstrations. One of these counter-protests featured Ivanishvili, who rarely makes public appearances, giving a speech to a group of supporters brought to Tbilisi from Georgia's rural areas, where Georgian Dream has more backing.
The address displayed a strong sense of paranoia and authoritarian tendencies. Ivanishvili accused Georgia of being manipulated by a foreign-backed elite and vowed to target his political rivals following the upcoming elections in October.
Hasn't Georgia already experienced something similar before?
Yes, it was just last year. Georgia's government attempted to pass a similar law. However, they had to back down in embarrassment after facing a week of strong protests. During the protests, citizens waved EU flags and were pushed back by water cannons.
The bill was reintroduced in March, about a month after Kobakhidze became Prime Minister. This time, authorities seem determined to push the legislation through.
Demonstrations against the bill continued into Monday.
Demonstrations against the bill continued into Monday.
Mirian Meladze/Anadolu/Getty Images
What have other countries said?
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan wrote on X that Washington is “deeply alarmed about democratic backsliding in Georgia.”
Georgian parliamentarians are at a crossroads. They must decide whether to back the Georgian people's desire to join Euro-Atlantic organizations or to approve a foreign agents' law similar to the Kremlin's, which goes against democratic principles. The speaker emphasized their support for the Georgian people.
The Kremlin has argued that the law is being manipulated to fuel anti-Russian feelings. They have also suggested that external forces are behind the protests against the law.
A large number of states are adopting new measures to protect themselves from foreign interference in their domestic politics, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. He mentioned in April that many countries are implementing similar bills with the goal of safeguarding their internal affairs. Peskov also clarified that there is no connection between the bill aimed at securing Georgia's politics and any Russian influence.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her worries about the situation in Georgia in a recent statement. She reiterated Brussels' concerns over the law and stated that she is closely monitoring the developments in the country.
“Georgia is at a crossroads. It should stay the course on the road to Europe,” she said.
Could the law impact Georgia’s ability to join the EU?
Georgia officially applied for EU membership in 2022 and was given candidate status in December. This is a significant milestone in the journey towards becoming a member of the EU. However, Brussels recently expressed concerns that a certain law passed by Georgia could have a negative impact on its progress towards EU membership.
EU officials have expressed concern about the impact of proposed legislation on Georgia's vibrant civil society. They believe that limiting the operations of civil society and media organizations could restrict freedom of expression and unfairly target organizations that benefit Georgian citizens.
The EU is urging Georgia to avoid passing any laws that could hinder its progress towards EU membership, a goal strongly backed by the majority of Georgian citizens.
CNN’s Anna Chernova contributed to this report.
Editor's P/S:
The proposed "foreign agents" bill in Georgia has sparked widespread concern and protests, with many fearing it could be used to suppress dissent and restrict civil society, as has been the case in Russia. The bill, which requires organizations receiving over 20% of their funding from foreign sources to register as "agents of foreign influence," has been met with strong opposition from Georgians who see it as a threat to their democratic values and aspirations to join the European Union.
The bill has raised questions about Georgia's future direction, with some seeing it as a sign of increasing Russian influence and others viewing it as a setback for the country's democratic progress. The European Union has expressed concerns about the bill's potential impact on Georgia's civil society and its progress towards EU membership. The outcome of the vote on the bill will be a significant indicator of Georgia's future path and its commitment to democratic principles and European integration.
