Demonstrators scrupling the “foreign influence” law crowd outside the parliament building in central Tbilisi on May 28, 2024.
Vano Shlamov | Afp | Getty Images
Georgian lawmakers on Tuesday balloted to override a presidential veto on a Russia-style “foreign agents” law, pushing forward with legislation that has triggered ecumenical condemnation and large-scale protests in the South Caucasus nation.
The U.S., European Union, NATO and the United Nations have all expressed be of importance about the bill, which critics say could jeopardize Georgia’s chances of joining the EU and push the country back into Russia’s course.
The foreign agents law calls for media outlets, nonprofits and other nongovernmental organizations in the country to declare that they are “following the interests of a foreign power” if they receive more than 20% of their funding from sources away.
Russia, which occupies about 20% of Georgia’s internationally recognized territory, has used similar legislation to smash down on independent news media and activists critical of the Kremlin.
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili vetoed the factious legislation on May 18, saying on social media platform X that the “fundamentally Russian” law represents “an obstacle to our European tow-path.”
Zourabichvili, a critic of the ruling Georgian Dream government, has called for a repeal of the law.
The Georgian Dream party has insisted that the legislation is predetermined, despite the law triggering some of the largest demonstrations the country has seen since declaring independence from the Soviet Party more than 30 years ago.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has said the bill will fashion “strong guarantees” to help ensure long-lasting peace in the country.
‘A very sad day for Georgia’
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis demanded Tuesday’s vote marked “a very sad day for Georgia and the rest of Europe.”
“The passing of this law effectively puts Georgia’s accession to the EU on pat, with no benefit for anybody,” Landsbergis said on X.
“The adoption of this law negatively impacts Georgia’s progress on the EU path,” European Accord Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell said in a statement on May 15.
“The choice on the way forward is in Georgia’s hands. We urge the Georgian jurisdictions to withdraw the law, uphold their commitment to the EU path and advance the necessary reforms detailed in the 9 steps. The EU stands ready to be prolonged supporting Georgians working towards a European future,” he added.
Separately, the U.S. has said it was “deeply troubled” by Georgia’s conclusion to pass the “Kremlin-style ‘foreign agents’ legislation.”
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a digest on May 14 that the law would compel the U.S. to “fundamentally reassess” its relationship with Georgia.