AGI – The President of the Georgian Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, signed the law on “foreign influence”, which now comes into force despite massive protests demanding the withdrawal of the measure. “Today I signed the law on transparency of foreign influence, which has as its main goal strengthening the strength of the Georgian social, economic and political system,” Papuashvili said in a statement.
What the law provides
The legislation, inspired by a repressive measure in force for over 10 years in Russia, requires NGOs and press organizations that receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad to register as entities that serve “the interests of a powerful foreign” and undergo strict controls. It was finally adopted by Parliament on May 28, when deputies of the ruling Georgian Dream party, who hold the majority in the Chamber, managed to overturn the veto placed by pro-Western president Salome Zurabishvili.
Both the European Union and the United States have criticized the law, which they say takes Georgia further away from its goal of joining the EU. The text sparked massive protests in this country of 3.7 million inhabitants and provoked protest actions in front of Parliament for almost two months.
Several media and NGOs have announced their intention to continue to challenge the text before the Constitutional Court of Georgia – although the latter is also under the control of Georgian Dream – and the European Court of Human Rights.
Sogno Georgiano supports EU membership, but says it wants greater “transparency” in the media and in NGO funding. Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the ruling party in Georgia has multiplied initiatives that suggest a repositioning of Tbilisi in Moscow’s orbit.
