Georgia’s Constitutional Court refuses to suspend controversial Law on Foreign Influence

The Constitutional Court of Georgia on Thursday rejected a request to suspend the controversial law on Transparency of Foreign Influence, condemned by the country’s domestic actors and foreign allies as “impediment” on the country’s EU path.

The court has classified the lawsuits challenging this law as partially admissible, which allows for further substantive discussions to take place.

In its ruling, the court noted, “the petition of the claimant party, pending the final decision on the case, to suspend the validity of the disputed norms.” Additionally, dissenting opinions from judges Giorgi Kverenchkhiladze and Teimuraz Tughushi will be recorded regarding the court’s decision not to grant the suspension.

This ruling follows a preliminary hearing held between August 29 and 31, during which the court reviewed lawsuits brought against the law by a coalition that includes President Salome Zourabichvili, 121 civil society groups, various media organizations, opposition lawmakers, and two journalists. These cases had previously been consolidated for review.

The law, which was enacted on June 3, identifies civil society organizations and media outlets that receive at least 20 percent of their funding from foreign sources as entities that “pursue the interests of a foreign power.”

This legislation has drawn significant criticism and has been referred to as the “Russian law,” due to its alleged similarities to legislation enacted in Russia in 2012.