Georgia passes controversial ‘Russian law’ on foreign agents despite protests

The Parliament of Georgia approved this Tuesday the controversial law on “foreign agents” after voting in favor in the third and final reading of the project. This rule has been condemned by opponents as a step inspired by the Kremlin towards the repression of civil liberties, which has generated a political crisis in the country. In recent weeks, protests have been frequent throughout the country, especially in the capital, Tbilisi.

The bill now faces a probable veto by the president of GeorgiaSalome Zourabichvili, although Parliament can overturn her decision by holding an additional vote on the project.

Implementing this law, experts say, could have serious implications for Georgian society. Under the terms of the proposal, organizations that receive more than 20% of their financing from abroad would be required to register as agents of foreign influencea requirement that critics denounce as authoritarian and allegedly inspired by the Kremlin’s policies to repress opponents in Russia.

On the other hand, the ruling party and promoter of the law, Georgian Dream, maintains that this law is essential to ensure transparency in the political and financial panorama of the country. The party’s billionaire founder, Bidzina Ivanishvili, has recently stated that Georgia must safeguard its sovereignty against attempts at interference by Western actors seeking to impose their agendas.

Meanwhile, the protests have become a nightly constant in front of the Tbilisi Parliament, with crowds voicing their discontent in a forceful manner night after night. Within the legislative institution itself, tension has also reached high levels, with physical confrontations between legislators themselves, reflecting the deep division and intensity of the conflict that has polarized the nation.

The government withdrew similar legislation last year in response to protests, but this time it has shown no signs of reconsidering its stance ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for October.

The bill has exacerbated an already simmering political crisis, and the comparisons with the laws used by Vladimir Putin’s government to repress dissent In Russia they have revived the painful memory of the war between Georgia and Russia in 2008. This brief but intense conflict left indelible marks on the Georgian psyche and still continues to resonate in the collective consciousness despite the passing of the years.

The ‘Russian law’ has also raised great concerns in both Washington and Brussels. Gert Jan Koopman, director general of the Enlargement Directorate of the European Commission, stated that this rule will affect Georgia’s candidacy to enter the European Union. “The law, as written, is unacceptable and will create serious obstacles to the EU accession path“Koopman stated recently.

“Today’s vote will focus minds on urgent need for regime change in Georgia. “As we look ahead to the October elections, I am confident that the unity that has been seen on our streets in recent weeks will mark a before and after in the history of our nation,” he said. Tina Bokuchavaparliamentary leader of the opposition United National Movement (MNU). “Our rightful place is Europe, but for this dream to come true we must first end Ivanishvili’s rule.”

He Kremlinthat denies any role in the inspiration of the Georgian bill, stated on Tuesday that the crisis was an internal matter of Tbilisi and accused outside powers of interference. “We see a naked intervention in Georgia’s internal affairs from outside,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. “This is an internal Georgia matter, we don’t want to interfere there in any way.”