The Georgian parliament has overriden a presidential veto of a bill requiring media, NGOs, and nonprofits to register as "foreign agents" if receiving 20% or more of their funding from abroad, sparking protests and concerns from the West.
The Georgian parliament has overriden a presidential veto of the "foreign agents" legislation, a move that has fueled Western concerns and sparked massive protests.
The "foreign agents" bill, requires media, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and other nonprofit groups to register as "pursuing the interests of a foreign power" if they receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad. Critics argue that the bill aims to restrict freedom of expression and obstruct Georgia's path towards European Union (EU) and NATO membership.
Despite a presidential veto, the parliament, controlled by the ruling Georgian Dream party, dismissed President Salome Zourabichvili's veto with an 84-4 vote. President Zourabichvili has accused the governing party of jeopardizing the country's future and "hindering the path toward becoming a full member of the free and democratic world."
The European Union has expressed concern over the bill's impact on Georgia's progress towards EU membership. Last week, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced travel sanctions on Georgian officials responsible for undermining democracy in the country.
The protests against the bill have been ongoing for weeks, with demonstrators clashing with police who have used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowds.
One protester, Zuka Elbakidze, said, "this day will determine the fate of our country," adding that "we are making a choice between Europe and Russia, and all the people gathered here, except the policemen, want Europe and the West."
The bill's approval comes amid heightened tensions between Russia and Georgia. In 2008, Russia fought a brief war with Georgia over the breakaway province of South Ossetia. Moscow recognized South Ossetia and another separatist province, Abkhazia, as independent states and strengthened its military presence there.
Critics allege that the "foreign agents" bill is part of efforts by Georgian Dream to align the country with Russia's sphere of influence. The party denies these claims, but was founded by Bidzina Ivanishvili, a former prime minister and billionaire who made his fortune in Russia.
The EU has offered Georgia candidate status, but has emphasized the need for key policy recommendations to progress in its membership bid. The "foreign agents" bill is seen as a setback in Georgia's efforts to integrate with the West.
The bill's approval is also likely to further strain relations with the United States, which has taken a strong stance against the legislation. The travel sanctions on Georgian officials send a clear message that the U.S. will not tolerate efforts to undermine democracy in Georgia.
