Georgia’s reintroduction of ‘Foreign Agent Law’ threatens stability and peace

The fate of democracy and Georgia’s European future hangs in the balance yet again. The recent reintroduction of the foreign agent law by the ruling party Georgian Dream is an extremely worrisome crossroad in the nation’s democratic path, writes Paata Gaprindashvili.

Paata Gaprindashvili is the director of Georgia’s Reforms Associates (GRASS) and former ambassador.

This legislation, inspired by Russian law, seeks to exert control over civil society organisations under the guise of transparency. Yet, its implications extend far beyond legalities, threatening to derail Georgia’s aspirations for European integration and jeopardising the hard-fought freedoms of its citizens.

By reintroducing the law, the Georgian Dream effectively heated up domestic polarisation, risking destabilisation and endangering the civic peace that has been in place in Georgia, especially after the country was granted EU membership candidate status.

The genesis of this legislative push can be traced back to March 2023 when Georgian Dream first tabled the draft law on “transparency of foreign influence”. Ostensibly aimed at curbing foreign influence, it ignited a firestorm of controversy both domestically and internationally.

Civil society organisations, activists, and ordinary citizens took to the streets in protest, decrying the proposed law as a thinly veiled attempt to muzzle dissent and consolidate power.

Under mounting domestic and international pressure, the ruling party ultimately retreated, withdrawing the legislation in the face of widespread condemnation.

In the aftermath, GD leaders made several statements promising that the re-tabling of the foreign agent Law would no longer be part of their political agenda. Recently appointed Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has also assured the public before that there is no intention to revert to the discussions on this matter.

However, on April 3rd, the leader of the Parliamentary majority, Mamuka Mdinaradze, broke the promise and declared the resubmission of the Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence.

The text of the Law is the same as last year’s, except this time, the NGOs will be labelled not as foreign agents but as “organisations pursuing the interests of a foreign power”—effectively a synonym for “foreign agent.”

The reincarnation of the foreign agent Law casts a dark shadow over Georgia’s democratic aspirations, delegitimising civil society actors as well as media, and eroding public trust in their work.

The reintroduction of the law with a shifted narrative is particularly alarming. Whereas previously, Georgian Dream sought to downplay concerns about targeting Western donors, the ruling party now brazenly accuses EU and US funds of meddling in internal affairs.

This rhetorical turn not only strains relations with vital international partners but also underscores the ruling party’s willingness to sacrifice democratic norms for narrow political interests.

By incorrectly citing the European Commission’s draft directive “on transparency of interest representation carried out on behalf of third countries,” the Georgian Dream cynically argues that its legislation is not Russian but European.

The implications of the foreign agent law extend beyond legal semantics, striking at the heart of Georgia’s democratic institutions and European aspirations.

President Salome Zourabichvili has been quick to condemn the legislation, highlighting its constitutional violations and its divergence from European values.

Civil society organisations have voiced their concerns, warning of the devastating effect such laws have on freedom of expression and association. Yet, despite the chorus of domestic dissent, the Georgian Dream remains undeterred, prioritising its thoughtless political interests over the welfare of the Georgian people.

As Georgia faces the abyss of authoritarianism once again, the European Union shall provide unwavering support for its democratic trajectory and try to steer the country away from calamity.

The EU and the US, along with other international partners, have voiced grave concerns regarding the potential implications of the law for democratic values and freedoms in Georgia and its European integration process.

They continue urging Georgian leaders to uphold democratic principles and pursue reforms aligning with EU standards.

Many partners already made it clear that the adoption of this law would undermine the European integration process.

However, mere admonishments, as seen already last year, are insufficient in the face of such brazen disregard for democratic norms. The statements must be backed up with actions, including by imposing visa restrictions on travel for those MPs who sign the law.

Such measures will send a clear message that democratic regression will not be tolerated and that the Georgian people are not punished, but a handful of individuals jeopardising Georgia’s European path are penalised.

The stakes could not be higher for Georgia and its people. The reintroduction of the foreign agent law threatens to unravel years of progress towards democracy and European integration.

As the ruling party prioritises political convenience over democratic values, all stakeholders—both within Georgia and abroad—must stand firm in defence of democracy.

The road ahead may be fraught with challenges, but the resilience of the Georgian people and their unwavering commitment to freedom offer hope in the face of adversity.

But only Georgians might not be able to handle this task without strong support from the EU.