Since the beginning of April, thousands of Georgians have taken to the streets of Tbilisi, the country’s capital, to protest against the government’s proposed bill regarding “transparency” and “foreign agents” (Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence).
The proposed bill mandates that all organizations, including media outlets and NGOs, that receive at least 20% of their funding from abroad register as “foreign-influenced agents,” subjecting them to government scrutiny. Failure to comply will result in severe fines.
The bill, which passed the previous two readings, is anticipated to be brought to a vote for the third and final time in parliament in mid-May. Similarly to the legislation the government withdrew last year following mass protests, it remains contentious.
(REUTERS/Irakli Gedenidze/File Photo)
The opposition brands the new law as a “Russian law” because Moscow has implemented similar legislation, which aims to regulate the media and silence political dissenters critical of the Kremlin.
Critics of the bill also argue that it represents another indication of Moscow’s expanding influence over Georgia. They claim its adoption could hamper the country’s negotiations for EU accession.
Government members, predominantly composed of MPs from the Georgian Dream party, support the bill. They contend that it draws inspiration from the 1938 US Foreign Agents Registration Act.
According to the government, the law is necessary to ensure transparency in funding and to restrict what they perceive as “pseudo-liberal values” being imposed by the West. They argue that such values aim to destabilize the country politically.
In Russia, hundreds of journalists, politicians, human rights activists, environmentalists, as well as members and allies of the LGBTI+ community, have been labeled by the government as “foreign agents.” They are compelled to disclose this status on social media and various platforms.
The term “foreign agent” is tied to espionage and has a historical association with fostering distrust toward individuals and organizations that do not align with government interests.
The government asserts that the public was misled by the opposition last year, prompting its renewed efforts to pass the bill.
Additionally, it argues that it has the authority to mandate financial transparency from all organizations operating within the country.
While it hasn’t been specified which organizations will be labeled as “foreign agents,” media reports suggest that LGBTQ+ rights advocacy groups may be among the initial targets of the bill. The Prime Minister has indicated that these groups are under scrutiny by questioning the country’s traditional and orthodox values.
The EU, the US, and the UK have cautioned the government against passing the bill, stating that it contradicts the values of the Union, of which Georgia is a member. According to a poll, 80% of citizens want Georgia to join the EU.
Russia has asserted its desire for stability in Georgia and refuted claims that it is pressuring the government to pass the bill. Describing such allegations as “absurd,” Russia denies any involvement in what is labeled as a “Russian plan.” However, it acknowledges that the bill has stirred anti-Russian sentiments.
(fyiteam)
Until 1991, Georgia (with a population of 3.7 million) was part of the Soviet Union (USSR).
A segment of public opinion holds hostility towards Russia, stemming from its Soviet history and the brief 2008 war between the two nations. This conflict resulted in the secession of Abkhazia and South Ossetia from Georgia, with Russia subsequently recognizing them as independent regions.
Despite its traditional pro-Western stance, Georgia’s government has opted not to impose sanctions on Moscow in response to the war in Ukraine. Instead, it has taken steps to partially restore relations with Russia.
The recent demonstrations and political opposition highlight a growing internal division, pitting the government against the opposition, part of the citizenry, and the country’s president. The president has pledged to veto the law, further deepening the divide.
Georgia is strategically positioned alongside Russia, Turkey, Armenia, and Azerbaijan in a region dotted with oil and gas pipelines bordering the Black Sea.
Similar to Ukraine, Georgia has found itself caught between Russia and the West since the collapse of the USSR. Although it engaged in a war with Moscow, lasting only five days, its geopolitical positioning continues to shape its relations with both sides.
The outcome of the bill vote, the magnitude of protests, and the upcoming elections will shape whether Georgia moves closer to Moscow’s sphere of influence or maintains its trajectory toward the West. However, ensuring this transition occurs without sparking new regional conflicts remains a significant challenge.
The next parliamentary elections are slated for October 24, 2024.
