The ruling party abruptly reintroduced the bill earlier this month after massive protests forced it to be withdrawn last year.
Georgia’s parliament has advanced a controversial “foreign influence” bill to first reading as thousands of people took part in a third day of anti-government protests.
The bill, which was first introduced in early 2023 and withdrawn after intense public opposition, would require media and civil society organizations to be deemed “under foreign influence” if they receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad. ”.
Critics say the bill reflects Russia’s repressive “foreign agent” laws, which are used against independent media outlets and groups seen as opposed to the Kremlin. They argue that this would undermine Tbilisi’s close ties with the European Union and ultimately its aspirations for membership.
In a vote boycotted by opposition parties in the 150-member parliament, 83 politicians from the ruling Georgian Dream party supported the bill.
Approximately 20,000 people blocked traffic in front of the parliament building in the capital, Tbilisi, to express their opposition to the measure.
“No to Russian laws!” they shouted after hearing the Georgian national anthem and the European Union’s song of joy.
Speaking at the rally, opposition lawmaker Aleksandr Elisashvili denounced the politicians who voted in favor of the bill as “traitors” and urged the rest of Georgia to “stand in the power of the people and not in a traitorous government.” He said it would show.
This country on the Black Sea was once part of the Soviet Union, but gained independence in 1991 following the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Once seen as a democratic reformer, the current ruling party, led by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, is accused of trying to steer Georgia into closer ties with Russia.
“Today is a sad day for Georgia, because our government has taken another step towards Russia and away from Europe,” protester Maqbara Naskidashvili told AFP news agency. .
“But I’m also happy because I see young people coming together,” the 88-year-old added. “They are proud Europeans and will not let anyone ruin their European dreams.”
Protest rallies were also held in several other cities across Georgia, including the second city of Batumi, according to Interpress news agency.
Georgia goes off the rails
Thousands of people have taken to the streets in Tbilisi since Monday to voice their opposition to the bill, with riot police chasing demonstrators through a maze of narrow streets near parliament, beating and arresting them. .
Kobakhidze, who claims to be fully committed to Georgia’s European aspirations but is known for his anti-Western rhetoric, said the law would increase financial transparency for NGOs that receive funding from Western institutions. He said it would be.
The only change in wording from the previous draft is that organizations that receive 20% or more of their funding from abroad must register as “promoting the interests of a foreign power” rather than as “agents of foreign influence.” .
In an online statement on Wednesday, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell described the bill’s passage in parliament as a “very worrying development”, adding: “If this bill is finally adopted, Georgia’s EU direction will be “This will have a negative impact on progress,” he warned.
“This law is not in line with the EU’s core norms and values,” Borrell said, stressing that the country’s “vibrant civil society” is a key part of its bid to gain EU membership.
The US government also expressed concern that the law would “take Georgia off the European path.”
Amnesty International called on Georgian authorities to “immediately halt their continued efforts to impose repressive laws on the country’s vibrant civil society.”
The ruling Georgian Dream party reintroduced the bill to parliament earlier this month in a surprise announcement ahead of parliamentary elections in October.
For this bill to become law, it must pass the second and third readings of Congress and secure the support of the president.
But Georgian Dream’s supermajority in Congress means it can go through further steps to override the president’s veto.
