What We Know About the Ongoing Struggle Over the 'Foreign Agents' Law in Georgia?

After the Georgian Parliament revoked President Salome Zourabichvili's veto against the controversial 'Foreign Agents' bill on May 28, the bill is expected to return to the President's desk. Parliament members have annulled Zourabichvili's veto, and now all eyes are on her office regarding the fate of this law and the country's direction. Zourabichvili, who has disagreed with the ruling 'Georgian Dream' party over this bill and has sided with Western supporters, now has five days to sign the bill into law. She has shown no signs of intent to do so, but if she refuses, the Parliament Speaker, Shalva Papuashvili, a member of the 'Georgian Dream' party, can sign and approve the law. What is the significance of this law? The civil society in Georgia has been striving for years to free the country from Russian influence. Russia still has thousands of soldiers in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, two regions that separated from Georgia after a brief war in 2008 and were recognized by Moscow as independent countries. However, this new law, if passed, would label civil society organizations and media outlets that receive more than 20% of their funding from foreign sources as 'foreign agents.' This law would also require these entities to be monitored and could lead to sanctions for vague 'criminal offenses.' Due to its similarity to a law enacted by the Kremlin to further repress dissent and freedom of expression, it is also known as the 'Russian Law.' Senior officials of the ruling Georgian Dream party, which has taken a strongly anti-Western stance in recent months, insist that the aim of this law is to enhance 'transparency' and curb 'harmful foreign influence.' However, opponents of the law, who have held massive protests against it in recent weeks, argue that its approval jeopardizes their country's chances of joining the European Union. Georgia, which gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, has long sought to balance the pro-European aspirations of its citizens with the geopolitical goals of its powerful neighbor, Russia. Recently, however, the ruling party, known as 'Georgian Dream,' has taken a path leading towards Moscow. The initiative for the 'Foreign Agents' bill comes from this same party. This party was founded by Bidzina Ivanishvili, an influential billionaire who served as Georgia's Prime Minister from 2012 to 2013. He has previously stated that Western countries treat Georgia and Ukraine as 'cannon fodder.' The European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) believes that the 'Georgian Dream' party is now steering Georgia towards Russia's sphere of influence. According to CNN, analysts from this think tank have drawn parallels between Georgia's current situation and that of Ukraine a few years ago. Both are former Soviet republics caught between East and West. The think tank has conducted comparisons between the current situation in Georgia and Russia's invasions of Ukraine in 2014 and 2022. Dmitry Medvedev, a former President of Russia, stated in 2011 that if Russia had not attacked Georgia in 2008, NATO would have expanded into Georgia. The 2008 conflict was over South Ossetia and Abkhazia, two separatist regions in Georgia. They are officially part of Georgia but have separate governments that are not recognized by most countries. Both Abkhazia and South Ossetia are supported by Russia. Since March 2022, Georgia has applied for EU membership, a move that has displeased Russia. The 'Georgian Dream' party insists it remains 'committed' to Georgia's accession to Western institutions and claims that this law is 'only aimed at increasing transparency regarding the funding of NGOs.' However, Western officials have rejected such claims, and U.S. State Department spokespeople have stated that the party's actions and anti-Western rhetoric threaten Georgia's democratic path. Senator Ben Cardin, the Democratic chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has stated that 'the people have shown they will not allow Ivanishvili to destroy their democracy and take away their European future. We stand with them.' Recently, weeks of public protests in Tbilisi against this law have turned violent due to the crackdown by riot police and mob groups. Both the United States and the European Union have warned the 'Georgian Dream' party that ignoring criticism and violently suppressing protesters will have negative consequences. The U.S. has also warned the country not to follow Russia, as doing so could lead to cuts in U.S. financial aid to Georgia. Charles Michel, President of the European Council, warned on May 28 that revoking Zourabichvili's veto is 'a step backward' for Georgia's European aspirations. Michel wrote on X: 'The European Council decided in December to grant Georgia candidate status, provided that Georgia takes the necessary steps and democratic reforms.' He added: 'The approval of this law in Parliament is a step backward and moves Georgia further away from the EU path. The people of Georgia have clearly chosen a future in the EU, and we will do everything to support their aspirations.' Michel also stated that this issue will be on the agenda of the next European Council meeting. One day before the vote, Josep Borrell, the EU's foreign policy chief, said that if this law is approved, the EU will consider its options. He stated that a decision will be made next month.