There was a brawl in the Georgian parliament and forceful dispersal of protesters in front of the parliament. Despite protests lasting for a month, the Georgian authorities adopted the so-called Act on Foreign Agents. The government’s brutal treatment of protesting citizens reveals its closer ties to Moscow than to Brussels, despite its pro-Western declarations.
After two protests, the ruling Georgian Dream party withdrew from the controversial project a year ago. Now, it has reversed its decision. The question is, what is behind this change? Is it due to the upcoming parliamentary elections, which the current government is determined to win at any cost, or does Russia influence it? Or maybe both?
Let’s take a closer look at the new law. Officially known as the “Act on the Transparency of Foreign Influences,” it mandates that independent entities, including media and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), that receive at least 20 percent of their funding from foreign sources must register with state authorities.
The government emphasizes that the aim is to increase the transparency of these entities’ financing. However, according to the opposition and public opinion, the real purpose of the law, which is modeled on Russian legislation introduced by Putin in 2012 after mass protests against the rigged presidential elections, is to weaken independent media and those supporting the development of civil society before the October parliamentary elections.
The new law requires foreign-supported NGOs and media to register as “organizations pursuing the interests of a foreign power.” There are widespread concerns that this law will be used to suppress critical voices. Unclear regulations and proposed penalties may significantly hinder the activities of independent media and civil society organizations. Similar laws in Russia led to the elimination of associations criticizing the Kremlin.
President Salome Zourabichvili has sided with independent journalists and non-governmental organizations and announced a veto. However, the current parliament has enough votes to reject the president’s objection. Although the Georgian Dream party promises to introduce some amendments to the act, the president believes this is simply manipulation.
NATO and EU countries are protesting against the new legal solutions, and Tbilisi has officially declared its willingness to integrate with these organizations. In December 2023, Brussels granted Georgia the status of an EU candidate country in advance. Now, international human rights organizations and election observers have appealed in an open letter to European and national leaders to address the actions of the Georgian government immediately.
The signatories of the appeal are urging the leaders of the EU and individual countries to take action if Tbilisi passes the controversial law. They are calling for the European Commission to halt the process of Georgia’s integration with the EU, impose travel bans, and freeze the assets of Bidzina Ivanishvili, the Georgian oligarch and founder of the Georgian Dream party, due to his involvement in the deterioration of the political situation in Sakartvelo which means Georgia in the Georgian language. EU also imposed sanctions on those responsible for violently suppressing peaceful protests. Additionally, a proposal is to halt budget support and government project financing for Georgia. The signatories of the appeal included Polish, Hungarian, Ukrainian, Moldovan, Swedish, German, Armenian, Slovak, Czech, and Lithuanian organizations – a total of 56 entities.
The majority of Georgians, about 80 percent, express their support for their country’s pro-Western aspirations. As a result, some commentators suggest that the current Georgian authorities may face a fate similar to that of the former Ukrainian President, Viktor Yanukovych. It’s worth remembering that Yanukovych’s decision, influenced by Vladimir Putin, rejected the association agreement with the European Union in 2013. This decision resulted in the Revolution of Dignity, followed by the downfall and escape of pro-Russian politicians from Ukraine. In response, the Russian dictator initiated a military conflict.
The Georgians are most afraid of war. In the 2008 conflict with Russia, they lost significant parts of their territories, namely South Ossetia and Abkhazia. These two self-proclaimed republics have now become convenient tools for blackmail in the hands of Moscow.
On April 29, at a rally supporting the foreign agents law organized by the government, Bidzin Ivanishvili expressed a vision of a united and indivisible Georgia. He stated that this vision would not have been possible without Russia, as it is the only country capable of persuading the two rebellious regions to return to Georgian borders. Meanwhile, The Insider, an independent Russian portal, recently reported on a survey conducted in Georgia. The survey asked participants whether they would prefer the return of Abkhazia and South Ossetia to Georgia or Georgia’s accession to the EU and NATO. Almost 80 percent of respondents chose the reintegration of the state. It’s worth noting that the survey took place before the ruling party adopted the law on foreign agents.
Maria Przełomiec for belsat.eu
Translated by PEV
The opinions and thoughts expressed in the text reflect only the author's views.
