Opposition calls for protests to counter reintroduction of foreign agents bill by ruling party

Opposition members in Georgia have issued a call for large-scale protests aimed at ending the rule of the Georgian Dream (GD) ruling party in response to the announcement of plans to reintroduce a controversial foreign agents bill, which was previously retracted last year amidst mass protests in Tbilisi.

Ana Tsitlidze, representing the United National Movement, asserted the GD’s agenda, “led by Bidzina Ivanishvili”- the GD founder and its honorary chair – was “incompatible” with Georgia’s European integration aspirations. She emphasized that reintroducing the “Russian law” posed a threat to both Georgian citizens’ will and the country’s goal of joining the bloc.

Khatia Dekanoidze, an opposition MP from the Eurooptimists faction, urged collective action to prevent the GD from steering the country toward what she described as “Russian-style governance.” Dekanoidze stressed the importance of “remaining vigilant for the future of Georgia”.

Roman Gotsiridze, another member of Dekanoidze’s faction, has called for rallies via social media to oppose the reintroduction of the bill.MP Teona Akubardia characterized the proposed reintroduction of the “Russian Law” as a “decisive moment in the struggle between genuine Georgian democracy and regressive forces”. She accused the GD of “actively working against Georgia’s interests” in joining the EU and fostering a democratic state.

The initial attempt to pass the “Foreign Agents” law in March 2023 faced significant opposition and ultimately failed. Despite claims from the parliamentary majority of the GD that the legislation aimed to enhance transparency and public awareness, it was met with widespread public outcry and international criticism.

Dimitri Khundadze, a member of the parliamentary majority, reopened discussions about similar legislation in December 2023, citing the need for rigorous financial scrutiny of non-governmental organizations. Announcing the revival of the bill on Tuesday, Mamuka Mdinaradze, the executive secretary of the GD, argued the lack of transparency surrounding the civil sector posed “significant security challenges”, referencing past events where NGOs allegedly manipulated election outcomes and incited unrest. 

He emphasized the imperative of “safeguarding national stability against potential subversive influences”, noting the proposed bill would “closely resemble” its previous version, with one “notable amendment” –  replacing the term “agent of foreign influence” with “organization carrying the interests of a foreign power” for entities obtaining over 20 percent of their incomes from abroad.