Six Georgian opposition parties are rallying together against a government bill on “foreign agents” that they believe will hinder the country’s progress towards the European Union and NATO. The bill, which has sparked violent protests in Tbilisi, has been compared to similar legislation in Russia that suppresses dissent. The opposition parties are calling for mass protests against the ruling Georgian Dream party, accusing them of supporting the bill and going against the will of the Georgian people to align with the EU and NATO.
The protests have drawn up to 10,000 demonstrators outside the parliament building, with some marching towards the prime minister’s office. A number of people have been detained and a police officer was injured during the altercations. The opposition parties are critical of billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of Georgian Dream, accusing him of trying to derail Georgia’s European future. The bill aims to require organizations receiving over 20% of their funding from abroad to register as foreign agents, with Georgian Dream arguing it will promote transparency and combat foreign influence.
Despite the opposition and concerns raised by the EU and US State Department, the bill passed its first reading in parliament with 83 deputies in favor. The opposition parties boycotted the vote and the bill requires two more readings to become law. The EU warned that the bill could block Georgia’s path to EU membership, while the US expressed disappointment in the parliamentary vote. The State Department spokesperson raised concerns about the potential limitations on freedom of expression and the stigmatization of organizations working to provide information and benefits to Georgian citizens.
The opposition in Georgia is divided, with differing opinions on the legacy of former president Mikheil Saakashvili, who leads the United National Movement (UNM) party. Despite this division, the UNM was one of the six signatories to the appeal against the “foreign agents” bill. The parties are in agreement that the bill threatens Georgia’s sovereignty and its aspirations to join the EU and NATO. The opposition is praising the protesters’ determination and are calling on the public to continue demonstrating against the ruling party’s support of the bill.
The Kremlin has denied any involvement with the bill, which has been compared to legislation used by Russia to suppress dissent. The opposition believes that the bill contradicts Georgia’s constitution and its long-term goals of securing sovereignty and European integration. The protests and opposition to the bill have highlighted the deep divisions within Georgian politics, with challenges remaining in the country’s path towards democracy and European integration. The future of the bill and its potential impact on Georgia’s relations with the EU and NATO remain uncertain as the protests and political tensions continue to escalate.
