Georgia

2024 - 5 - 14

Georgia in Turmoil: Controversial 'Foreign Agents' Law Sparks Protests

Civil Society - Democracy - EU - Foreign Agents Law - Georgia - Kremlin - NATO - Protests - US

Georgia faces turmoil as the controversial 'foreign agents' law sparks protests and defiance against EU warnings. Will the bill pass amidst mass dissent? Find out here!

Georgia finds itself in the midst of a political storm as the approval of a controversial 'foreign agents' law ignites mass protests and defiance against EU warnings. The bill, resembling Russia-style legislation, has been met with fierce criticism and concerns over its impact on civil society. Despite facing a likely veto by Georgia's president, the ruling Georgian Dream party pushes forward, risking further unrest in Tbilisi.

The passing of the 'foreign agents' bill in Georgia has led to heated confrontations between protesters and riot police, with tear gas filling the air and MPs brawling in parliament. The European Commission warns that the adoption of the bill poses a significant obstacle to Georgia's aspirations to join the EU, raising questions about the country's alignment with European values.

As tensions escalate, OSCE Chair-in-Office Ian Borg plans a visit to Georgia to meet key political figures, including President Salome Zourabichvili and Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze. The rapid developments highlight the international scrutiny and divisions within Georgia over the controversial legislation, symbolizing a pivotal moment in the country's political landscape.

Despite the passage of the 'foreign agents' bill, protests continue in Tbilisi, with demonstrators treated by medics after clashes with riot police. The persistence of dissent underscores the deep-seated opposition to the legislation, drawing parallels to Kremlin-inspired repression tactics. The future implications of the law remain uncertain, with Georgia embroiled in a complex struggle between upholding international obligations and navigating domestic political pressures.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "BBC News"

Georgia approves controversial law that sparked mass protests (BBC News)

However, the bill now faces a likely veto by Georgia's president, which parliament can override by holding an additional vote. Critics say the bill - which they ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "POLITICO.eu"

Georgia defies EU and backs law targeting 'foreign agents' (POLITICO.eu)

Brussels warns new curbs on civil society flout “European values” as protests grow in Tbilisi.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Financial Times"

Georgia adopts Russia-style 'foreign agents' law (Financial Times)

Ruling Georgian Dream party presses ahead with bill despite months of protests and warnings from Brussels.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Police fire teargas at protesters and MPs brawl as Georgia passes ... (The Guardian)

Vote to adopt bill a 'serious obstacle' to Georgia's bid to join EU, European Commission warns.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Sky News"

Georgia: Protesters and riot police face off outside Tbilisi parliament ... (Sky News)

There are concerns the bill, which has triggered long-running mass protests in Georgia, is modelled on laws used by Russia's President Putin.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Aljazeera.com"

Georgia parliament passes 'foreign agents' bill amid scuffles (Aljazeera.com)

The bill requires organisations receiving more than 20 percent of their funding from abroad to register as foreign agents.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "FRANCE 24"

Georgian parliament approves divisive 'foreign agents' bill after final ... (FRANCE 24)

The Georgian parliament on Tuesday approved in the third and final reading a divisive bill that sparked weeks of mass protests, with critics seeing it as a ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Georgia protests: riot police move in on demonstrations after 'foreign ... (The Guardian)

Protesters in Tbilisi treated by medics after bill condemned as Kremlin-inspired act of repression was passed into law.

OSCE Chair-in-Office Ian Borg to visit Georgia (OSCE)

During his visit, Minister Borg will meet with President Salome Zourabichvili, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Chairman of the Parliament Shalva Papuashvili ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Amnesty International"

Georgia: Dark day as parliament bulldozes adoption of repressive ... (Amnesty International)

This damaging bill contravenes Georgia's international obligations on the rights to freedom of expression and association and strikes at the heart of the ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "GOV.UK"

Georgian law on foreign influence: UK statement (GOV.UK)

Minister for Europe Nusrat Ghani has opposed Georgian Parliament support for a Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

US warns Georgia not to side with Moscow against the west (The Guardian)

Official suggests US funding could be pulled as new 'Kremlin-inspired' law provokes mass protests.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "FRANCE 24"

Thousands protest in Georgia after lawmakers pass controversial ... (FRANCE 24)

Thousands of protesters rallied Tuesday in Georgia after parliament adopted a law to brand overseas-funded NGOs as groups under “foreign influence”, ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Workers' Liberty"

Georgia: Four million people, 200000 protesters! (Workers' Liberty)

Lika Mebagishvili, chair of the Dental Workers' Union of Georgia, spoke to Sacha Ismail from Solidarity. • On 16 May Lika is speaking, alongside Ukrainian ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "POLITICO.eu"

'We can be on the path to the EU or to Belarus': Political thug culture ... (POLITICO.eu)

Intimidation is becoming a feature of daily life, even before a controversial new Kremlin-style law takes effect.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Euronews"

Georgia's prime minister says 'Russian law' necessary for peace as ... (Euronews)

The White House said it was "deeply troubled" that parliament had passed the bill. The UK, Germany, Italy and France have also all urged Georgia to withdraw ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Aljazeera.com"

Georgia parliament passes 'foreign agent' bill, triggering massive ... (Aljazeera.com)

The measure, described as authoritarian and Russian inspired, was approved despite warnings from the EU and the US.

Situation in Georgia (Council of Europe)

“The adoption at third reading of the draft law 'on transparency of foreign influence' by the Parliament of Georgia, without waiting for the opinion of the ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Georgia 'returning to the past' with foreign agents law, says president (The Guardian)

Salome Zurabishvili says protests in Tbilisi prove Georgians 'will never return to Russian pressure'

Post cover
Image courtesy of "POLITICO.eu"

EU condemns Georgia over brutal 'Russian law' crackdown (POLITICO.eu)

Brussels warns the country that its Kremlin-style civil society restrictions could imperil its EU bid.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Euronews"

Borrell denounces Georgia's 'Russian law' and demands its ... (Euronews)

The statement came 24 hours after the law passed its third reading in the Georgian parliament. ADVERTISEMENT. Josep Borrell broke his silence on Wednesday and ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Scottish Legal News"

Georgia: Controversial 'foreign influence' law approved by MPs (Scottish Legal News)

Georgia's parliament has adopted controversial legislation targeting foreign-funded organisations despite weeks of street protests involving tens of ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Financial Times"

EU to freeze Georgia's accession bid if it enacts Russia-inspired law (Financial Times)

The EU will freeze Georgia's membership bid if Tbilisi enacts a controversial “foreign agents” law critics say is inspired by Vladimir Putin's Russia.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Aljazeera.com"

NATO warns Georgia 'foreign agents' bill is 'step in wrong direction' (Aljazeera.com)

Protests set to continue as Western nations urge Georgian authorities against adopting 'Kremlin-style' measure.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Eurasianet"

Georgia: Tracing the rise of illiberalism in Tbilisi (Eurasianet)

Opinion polls showed large majorities supporting membership in the European Union and NATO, and the liberal ideals those institutions embody. The government, ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Spiked"

Why the Georgian people are rebelling (Spiked)

Georgia is in tumult. In the face of huge popular opposition, and even brawling among MPs, the ruling Georgian Dream coalition government has forced its ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "EURACTIV"

EU urges Georgia's ruling party to withdraw controversial 'foreign ... (EURACTIV)

Georgia's controversial Kremlin-style 'foreign agent' law 'negatively impacts' the country's progress on its accession path and should be withdrawn, ...

Explore the last week