EU expresses concern over Georgian ruling party’s reintroduction of foreign agents bill

In response to the Georgian Dream ruling party’s announcement on Wednesday to reintroduce a draft law on “Transparency of Foreign Influence,” the European Union has voiced its concerns. 

The bloc stressed on Thursday the move came despite previous assurances by the Georgian government and ruling party to withdraw such legislation unconditionally, as pledged last year, and expressed regret over the reconsideration of the bill, particularly in light of strong public and international opposition voiced in March 2023.

The EU underscored the importance of fostering an environment conducive to the operations of civil society organizations and safeguarding media freedom, “both fundamental pillars of democracy and crucial elements for Georgia’s EU accession process”.

The statement further reminded that Georgia was granted candidate status by the European Council last year with the expectation that it would adhere to the steps outlined in the European Commission’s recommendation of November 8, 2023. 

Among those steps, the ninth condition provided for opening accession talks with Tbilisi emphasized the need for Georgia to ensure the unhindered operation of civil society, while step one urged action against disinformation targeting the EU and its principles, the EU noted.

The EU emphasized that transparency should not serve as a tool to curtail the freedom of civil society and urged Georgia’s political leaders to adopt and execute reforms aligned with the goal of EU membership, supported by a majority of Georgian citizens.

The EU called upon Georgia to uphold its commitment to democracy, the rule of law, and human rights promotion.”

Despite facing widespread protests and a previous withdrawal in March 2023, the ruling party, Georgian Dream, announced its intention on Wednesday to proceed with the enactment of the foreign transparency bill. The bill aims to designate domestic organizations obtaining more than 20 percent of their incomes from abroad as “organizations carrying the interests of a foreign power.”

During a briefing, Mamuka Mdinaradze, the executive secretary of the party, accused donors of neglecting responsibility for what the party perceived as “anti-state actions” and the allegedly radical political agendas of non-governmental organizations, which Mdinaradze referred to as “rich NGOs.”

The domestic opposition has called for rallies to prevent the adoption of the law, while President Salome Zourabichvili accused the GD authorities of alleged aligning with Russia’s interests.