Despite mass protests

Georgia passes controversial anti-EU law

Tens of thousands of Georgians have taken to the streets to protest against the law.

(Bild: AFP/Giorgi ARJEVANIDZE)

Despite weeks of mass protests, the Georgian parliament has finally passed a law to tighten controls on foreign-funded non-governmental organizations. The new regulation is seen as an anti-EU measure.

As a final step, the MPs in Tbilisi overruled a veto against the law by President Salome Zurabishvili on Tuesday. Critics complain that it is based on the Russian model and jeopardizes the EU perspective of the small ex-Soviet republic.

Huge protests against the law
The law was finally passed with 84 votes in favor, only four MPs voted against it. Zurabishvili had vetoed the "foreign influence" law after it was first passed two weeks ago. The issue has been causing pro-European and anti-government mass protests in Georgia for weeks.

Critics see parallels between the Georgian law and the law against "foreign agents" in Russia, which enables the authorities there to take massive action against media and organizations critical of the government. In their opinion, the "Russian law" is intended to silence critical organizations.

The EU, the UN and NATO called on the government in Tbilisi to change course. The European Union announced consequences. "The EU has repeatedly emphasized that the law adopted by the Georgian parliament violates the fundamental principles and values of the EU," said EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell and the EU Commission on Tuesday evening. The decision will have a negative impact on Georgia's path towards the EU. The EU and its member states were examining all possibilities to react to the developments.

The Austrian Foreign Ministry regretted the decision in a statement on X: "This is an alarming step in the wrong direction!" It said it supported the people of Georgia and their path to a "European future".

The USA has already announced consequences in advance. According to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, they want to impose visa restrictions on "individuals responsible for or involved in undermining democracy in Georgia, as well as their family members". In addition, bilateral cooperation between the USA and Georgia will be put to the test.

Demonstrations against the law continued outside parliament on Tuesday.

(Bild: AP ( via APA) Austria Presse Agentur)

Opposition sees "thoughtless policy"
With the controversial law, the ruling Georgian Dream party is tightening the accountability of non-governmental organizations that receive more than 20 percent of their money from abroad. It justifies this with greater transparency. The debate in parliament on Tuesday was again characterized by fierce accusations from the government and the opposition. Opposition MP Anna Zitlidze accused the political leadership of pursuing a "thoughtless policy" that would block Georgia's path to the EU and cause many problems for the country.

Georgia has been an official candidate for EU membership since December. However, the current government is accused of wanting to bring the former Soviet republic closer to Moscow again.