A new ‘foreign agents’ law was passed in Georgia’s parliament, causing widespread protests and fighting.
- The law forces groups to declare if they get money from other countries
- Protesters say the law could be used to silence critics of the government
- Georgia’s president may veto the law, but parliament can overrule her
Do the protesters have a point? Why is this law so controversial? Let’s examine it closer.
Clashes in Parliament As Law Approved
Inside Georgia’s parliament building, physical fights and shouting matches occurred as the law was debated. Outside, thousands of protesters gathered, waving flags and chanting.
Georgian riot police moved in, warning protesters to leave or be forced out. Police raised shields and prepared water cannons and pepper spray.
Many protesters refused to budge, arguing the law threatens Georgia’s democracy and ties to the West. One group even formed a human chain blocking the police advance.
What the New Law Does
The law requires any groups or media outlets receiving over 20% of their funding from foreign sources to register as “foreign agents.”
Georgian government officials insist the law creates transparency around foreign influence. But protesters counter that it mirrors repressive “foreign agent” laws used by Russia to crack down on dissent and criticism.
Georgia’s president, Salome Zurabishvili, has vowed to veto the bill. But the ruling Georgian Dream party has enough parliament seats to override her veto in a second vote.
Future Ties to the West at Stake?
For Georgia’s large pro-Western population, the fear is this law could jeopardize their country’s hopes of joining the European Union and NATO one day.
Over 80% of Georgians want closer EU integration. Many waved EU flags at rallies, chanting for a democratic, European future separate from Russian influence.
“There’s no way Georgia is going back to the USSR or Russia’s orbit,” said one protester. “We want a European future for our country.”
Georgia has tried for years to shed old Soviet ties and align more with the West through EU and NATO membership bids. This divide in national identity has sparked political unrest before.
The push for the new law has again inflamed tensions over Georgia’s geopolitical direction. Its passage seems certain to worsen divisions and slow Georgia’s pro-Western aspirations.
Conclusion
The ‘foreign agents’ law has sparked some of Georgia’s most significant protests. Arguments over the bill highlighted deep divides in the country over ties to Europe versus Russia.
While the law’s supporters see it as improving transparency, its critics seem justified in fearing it could enable a crackdown on dissent mirroring Russia’s actions.
With Georgia’s EU hopes potentially at stake, the controversy over this new law seems unlikely to fade quietly. Will it push the country more toward or away from the West? Only time will tell.
