He notes that Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi, recently saw widespread street protests against the government’s attempts to introduce a new “foreign agents” law. The new law would require non-governmental and media organizations that receive more than 20% foreign funding to register as “foreign agents” or face severe legal consequences. But after widespread demonstrations and growing international criticism, Georgia’s ruling party announced the withdrawal of the bill.
Many critical voices in Georgia expressed their concern that the content of the new law was dictated by Moscow and that it distances Georgia from the European Union (EU). Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has said she would have used her veto power on the law, but her decision could be overturned by the country’s parliament.
Georgia applied for EU membership in March 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but so far it has not been granted EU candidate status because it has not implemented the necessary reforms. Before withdrawing the bill, EU foreign policy chief Borel described it as “incompatible with EU values and standards”.
