In a decisive move, Georgia’s parliament has voted to overturn a presidential veto on the controversial “transparency on foreign influence” bill, commonly referred to as the “foreign agents law.” This legislation has ignited weeks of protests in the capital, Tbilisi.
The law mandates that media and non-governmental organizations receiving more than 20% of their funding from abroad must register as “organizations acting in the interest of a foreign power.” These entities will be subject to rigorous audits and could face severe fines for non-compliance.
During a plenary session on Tuesday, the bill passed with 84 votes in favor—primarily from the ruling Georgian Dream party—against four votes, with the opposition abstaining from the vote.
Thousands of Georgians gathered outside the parliament on Tuesday evening, waving Georgian and EU flags in protest.
The legislation, initially passed on 14 May, had been vetoed by the pro-Western President Salome Zourabishvili. However, with the veto now overturned, the law is set to take effect in 60 days.
The Georgian government claims the law is necessary to ensure transparency in foreign funding of NGOs and to protect the country from external interference. However, critics argue that the legislation, which they call the “Russian law” due to its similarities with a law in Russia, is designed to suppress dissent ahead of the parliamentary elections in October.
The European Union has expressed deep regret over the Georgian parliament’s decision. EU officials had previously warned that the bill could jeopardize Georgia’s progress towards further integration with the bloc. Georgia was granted candidate status for EU membership in December 2023.
Many NGOs have already declared their intention to defy the legislation, arguing that labeling them as “acting in the interest of a foreign power” is both “insulting” and “factually incorrect.”
Protests outside the parliament continued on Tuesday as MPs debated the bill, with a heavy police presence. Following the vote, protesters chanted “slaves!” and “Russians!”
Since the onset of protests, police have frequently used force to disperse demonstrators. Numerous opponents of the foreign agents law have reported being assaulted or intimidated, with offensive posters placed outside their homes and threatening phone calls received.
Despite more than six weeks of ongoing protests, demonstrators—many of them young—remain resolute. “Our whole future is at stake; it’s either Europe or nothing,” said 18-year-old Kato, standing outside the parliament with friends.
Observers suggest that the passage of the foreign agents law has become a crucial issue for the survival of Georgian Dream, which has increasingly alienated its traditional allies.
The United States, echoing the EU’s concerns, warned of consequences if the law were enacted. The US State Department announced last week that travel restrictions would be imposed on those undermining democracy in Georgia, as well as their family members.
Despite these warnings, Georgian authorities remain undeterred. Georgian Dream Secretary General and Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze stated there would be no “trade-off” against the country’s interests.
With limited options left to halt the bill, President Zourabishvili on Monday unveiled a new charter aimed at steering Georgia towards Europe. “To rebuild trust, we need a new political reality: a distinct unity, different elections, a different parliament, and a different government,” she wrote on X.
The charter proposes abolishing laws that hinder Georgia’s EU membership prospects and implementing significant reforms to depoliticize the justice system and security services. President Zourabishvili has invited all opposition parties to sign the charter before 1 June, urging unity ahead of the October parliamentary elections.