Georgia erupts in protest over controversial "Foreign agents" law

Protests that have been ongoing for over a month have engulfed Georgia. Crowds of citizens marched in Tbilisi and Batumi, Kutaisi, Poti, Zugdidi, and other cities. The situation is serious: the Georgian Parliament passed the "foreign agents" law. Do the protesters have cause for concern?

The "foreign agents" law primarily targets foreign media operating in Georgia. Critics argue that it is pro-Russian. The law stipulates that legal entities and media receiving more than 20 percent of their funding from foreign sources will be required to register. Entities meeting these criteria would also be listed in a register of foreign influence agents. The Ministry of Justice in Georgia could conduct inspections at any time, undermining the independence of these media outlets.

Opponents of the law believe it could lead to the dismantling of opposition and free media that express opinions differing from the ruling party's main line. The implementation of the "foreign agents" law would also affect Georgia's efforts to join the European Union.

Since the Georgian Parliament passed the "foreign agents" law, President Salome Zurabishvili has pledged not to sign the disgraceful document. On Saturday, May 18, 2024, the ruling party kept her word.

During a press conference, Zurabishvili said, "Today I vetoed the Russian law. This law is Russian in its essence and spirit. This law cannot be amended or changed. It must be withdrawn in its entirety. It contradicts our constitution and all European standards and is therefore an obstacle on our European path. The veto is lawful and will be presented to the parliament today."

Despite the veto, the Georgian parliament may ignore Zurabishvili's decision. This is due to the majority held by the ruling party, Georgian Dream. 77 votes are needed to override the veto, while 84 members voted in favor of the "foreign agents" law.