Former Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia on Monday criticized the turmoil surrounding the foreign influence bill, which he described as a “ploy by cowardly individuals to maintain their power”. 

Gakharia, now the leader of the For Georgia opposition party, alleged that the ruling Georgian Dream party aimed to achieve two goals necessary for retaining power. “Firstly, the bill undermines the possibility of changing the government through democratic elections. 

Secondly, it alters the country's foreign policy direction”, he said. Gakharia called for the authorities to “apologize for the harm caused to Georgia and its citizens” and to withdraw the Transparency of Foreign Influence bill. 

He further claimed even if no sanctions were imposed on Georgia as a state, personal sanctions were already in place, especially against “corrupt judges” in high positions and added his party had “consistently maintained” that any form of sanctions would damage the country's reputation. “However, given the current government's blatant sabotage of the nation's foreign policy and democratic processes, such sanctions are increasingly likely”, Gakharia said.

“We all know that in recent decades, France and Germany have been the most skeptical about Georgia's European prospects. They suggested that the real accession process might not begin until the 2030s or later. Yet today, these countries have opened the door to Georgia's EU membership. Despite this opportunity, our current government is inexplicably doing everything to prevent Georgia and its people from seizing it. The 'Dream' party is achieving its two goals: destroying the democratic process and altering our foreign policy, all to ensure that a few cowardly individuals can cling to power," Gakharia concluded.

The bill was adopted last week with its third and final reading, with the President using her vero power.