Georgian Parliament adopts ‘foreign influence law’

This article was originally published in English

The Georgian parliament approved a controversial law strengthening controls and increasing fines for organizations receiving funds from abroad.

Any company, including media and NGOs, will now have to register as “pursuing the interests of a foreign power” if it receives more than 20% of funds from abroad.

The opposition called the bill a “Russian law,” drawing parallels with Moscow’s use of similar measures to suppress independent media and stigmatize activists.

Tens of thousands of people demonstrated against the bill

The approval of the law follows weeks of intense and widespread protests in Georgia, marked by clashes between demonstrators and police authorities, as well as several arrests, with tens of thousands of people taking to the streets.

In a desperate attempt to prevent the bill from reaching final reading, activists tried to block access to parliament on Monday, while over the weekend huge rallies took place in the streets of the capital, Tbilisi, with demonstrators draped in Georgian and European Union flags.

The Dream party, in power in Georgia, had already tried to pass the law last year, but had to back down after a huge wave of demonstrations.

In March 2024, he again attempted to pass this law, arguing that it was necessary to stem foreign influence and attempts to destabilize Georgia’s politics.

Is Georgia’s EU membership application complete?

Many argue that the “foreign influence law” will hamper Georgia’s bid for EU membership.

The country was granted candidate status in December, but the Commission warned that Georgia should embark on the path of rule of law and justice reforms.

Following recent events, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that Georgia was “at a crossroads” and must remain “on track” to join Europe .

The bloc’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell also raised concerns over parliamentary procedures, warning that passing the bill would hamper Georgia’s progress towards EU integration.

Similarly, the United States declared two weeks ago that “Georgia’s western trajectory is under threat.”

“The United States condemns the Kremlin-inspired ‘foreign influence’ law,” the US State Department said, denouncing “the false narrative that government officials have adopted to defend it.”

“Members of the ruling party have made it clear that the aim of the law is to silence critical voices and destroy Georgia’s vibrant civil society.