The ex-Soviet republic of Georgia has been on a path towards joining the EU for several years, but the country’s attempts to assert more control over civil society have been met with controversy. A controversial law aimed at tightening regulations on non-governmental organizations in Georgia passed its second reading in parliament, despite heavy protests from citizens.
The legislation, which aims to limit foreign influence on civil society in Georgia, received 83 votes in favor and 23 votes against in parliament. Prime Minister Iraqi Kobachidze has announced that the third reading of the law will take place in two weeks, with parliament expected to override any potential veto from President Salome Zurabishvili. The law mandates that non-governmental organizations receiving more than 20% of their funding from abroad must disclose the sources of their funding, raising concerns among critics who fear it could be misused to target pro-Western groups.
The ruling Georgian Dream party has been accused of increasing authoritarianism in the lead-up to the parliamentary elections in the fall. Pro-European demonstrators fear that these actions may jeopardize Georgia’s chances of joining the EU. The Interior Ministry defended the police’s actions during the protests, stating that demonstrators had attempted to break into parliament, leading to the use of force to restore order. There have been multiple instances of clashes between security forces and protesters in recent days.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has expressed concern over the situation in Georgia, condemning the violence in Tbilisi and emphasizing the importance of Georgia continuing on its path towards Europe. She urged the country to uphold democratic principles as tensions rise between