Georgia Defends Controversial Foreign Influence Law Amid Protests

On April 30, 2024, Anri Okhanashvili, Chairman of the Legal Affairs Committee in Georgia, defended the draft law "On the transparency of foreign influence" in Parliament. Okhanashvili claimed the law ensures transparency and protects Georgia's sovereignty by requiring organizations receiving foreign grants to declare them to the Ministry of Finance.

The bill, which would require organizations receiving more than 20% of their funding from abroad to register as "foreign agents," has sparked mass protests in Georgia. Critics have labeled it the "Russian law" and accused the government of trying to control civil society. The European Union and U.S. lawmakers have warned that the bill is incompatible with democratic values and could jeopardize Georgia's path towards EU membership.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze alleged that some non-governmental organizations have been involved in efforts to undermine the country's strategic and economic projects, and that certain funds were being spent directly on election campaigns. The government claims the law will make it difficult for donors to finance activities related to organizing revolutions and attacks on the Georgian Orthodox Church.

Why this matters: The controversial law has triggered a political crisis in Georgia, with thousands of anti-bill protesters demonstrating nightly in Tbilisi. The EU, UK, US, and Germany have criticized the decision to reintroduce the law, warning it could halt Georgia's progress towards integration with the European Union.

Bidzina Ivanishvili, the influential billionaire founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party, defended the law, accusing Western countries of meddling in Georgia's affairs and suggesting the opposition is controlled by foreign intelligence services. Tens of thousands of Georgians staged a "March for Europe" on April 30, calling on the government to scrap the controversial bill.

Georgian Bill Standoff: The final reading of the bill is scheduled for May 17, 2024, and the government has the votes to override a presidential veto if the bill is adopted. Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili has declared she would veto the bill, but the ruling party can override the veto with a sufficient number of votes. The ruling Georgian Dream party and its allies are likely to approve the bill despite criticism from Georgia's opposition and Western countries.

Key Takeaways

• Georgia's "foreign agent" bill requires NGOs to declare foreign funding.
• The bill has sparked mass protests, with critics calling it the "Russian law".
• The EU, US, and others warn the bill is incompatible with democracy.
• The ruling party has the votes to override a presidential veto on the bill.
• The final reading of the bill is scheduled for May 17, 2024.