Georgia is on the verge of enacting a contentious law that would label Western NGOs as “foreign agents,” despite widespread protests and international condemnation. The move, set for Tuesday’s parliamentary vote, could escalate tensions with the United States, prompting sanctions, and jeopardize the country’s aspirations of European Union membership.
As legislators gear up for the crucial vote and demonstrators assemble outside the parliament in Tbilisi, the outcome holds significant implications for Georgia’s trajectory in the years ahead.
The Background: In April, Georgia’s ruling party, Georgian Dream, announced its intention to reintroduce legislation aimed at tightening controls on media outlets, anti-corruption watchdogs, and advocacy groups funded from abroad. This initiative follows a previous attempt last year, which faced vehement opposition domestically and internationally, leading to its withdrawal with unconditional promises.
The proposed law requires NGOs receiving over 20% of their funds from overseas to register as “foreign agents” and disclose detailed financial information. The announcement triggered mass protests across Georgia, with concerns mounting that it could pave the way for a severe crackdown on civil society. Law enforcement authorities have reportedly employed tear gas and water cannons, resorting to violent arrests of demonstrators and opposition figures.
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili, although not affiliated with Georgian Dream, vetoed the bill after it cleared parliament’s third reading two weeks ago, denouncing it as a “Russian law” conflicting with constitutional and European standards. However, her veto can be overridden by a simple parliamentary majority, with the government determined to push the legislation through via an override vote on Tuesday.
The Rationale Behind the Law: Georgian Dream argues that the law is necessary to counter foreign influence in the country’s affairs, alleging foreign-backed NGOs’ involvement in subversive activities. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze contends that these groups aim to interfere in domestic politics, promote religious extremism, and advance LGBTQ+ agendas.
However, critics, including civil society leaders, Western policymakers, and much of the Georgian opposition, view the bill as a tactic to silence dissenting voices ahead of crucial elections in October. The Council of Europe has raised concerns that the law could be exploited by authorities to target disfavored groups financially and stigmatize them as “foreign agents,” drawing parallels with similar legislation used in Russia to suppress NGOs and activists.
Unlike Western counterparts like the U.S.’s Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA), Georgia’s proposed law would apply universally to all organizations receiving foreign funding, irrespective of their alignment with foreign interests. Most affected NGOs and media outlets receive grants from countries like the U.S., Germany, and Sweden for democracy promotion and anti-corruption efforts.
International Response: Brussels has warned that the enactment of the foreign agent law could derail Georgia’s EU accession prospects, just six months after granting the country candidate status. Josep Borrell, the EU’s top diplomat, has deemed the law incompatible with European values, with several EU foreign ministers suggesting it could freeze Georgia’s candidacy. Notably, polls indicate strong public support in Georgia for EU membership, exceeding 80%.
The U.S. has taken a more punitive stance, announcing visa bans and potential sanctions against Georgian Dream politicians and their families for undermining democracy. Additionally, Washington is reassessing its partnerships with Georgia, including military and economic support. Lawmakers have introduced bills in the U.S. Congress to penalize MPs endorsing the law while offering incentives for fair and free elections in October.
Georgian Dream has accused the West of coercion, alleging threats and intimidation tactics. Prime Minister Kobakhidze claimed to have been threatened by the EU’s enlargement chief, Olivér Várhelyi, referencing an unrelated assassination attempt on the Slovakian Prime Minister. However, Várhelyi dismissed these allegations as deliberate misrepresentation.
Implications and Next Steps: The fate of the foreign agent law hinges on Tuesday’s parliamentary vote. If passed, it could trigger further U.S. sanctions and intensify pressure from Brussels. Some civil society leaders have pledged non-compliance with the legislation, while the opposition vows to continue its resistance. President Zourabichvili has urged opposition unity ahead of October’s elections, with the objective of overturning the law.
In the immediate aftermath, Georgia could face heightened diplomatic tensions and punitive measures from Western partners. Efforts within the EU to suspend Georgia’s candidacy are underway, though Hungary’s opposition has hindered consensus among member states.