Internal work?
Some Georgians fear the foreign agent law could be used to suppress critical voices ahead of parliamentary elections in October, where Georgian Dream seeks a fifth term. There are some too.
“The government wants to stay in power and has stepped up its suppression of critical voices, especially after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. I want to see it,” said Lika Zakashvili, a journalist and co-founder of the independent online publication Publica, who was among the protesters this week and last year.
If the bill passes, Mr. Zakashvili's media organization, which is supported almost entirely by foreign donations, would not only be branded as an agency, but also subject to impromptu government inspections and It will also be possible to access personal information.
Some say the plan is part of a broader change in Georgia's international standing.
“They seem to be thwarting Georgia's European aspirations,” said Cornely Kakachia, director of the Georgia Institute of Politics. In his view, the government is reluctant to act on key EU demands for the accession process, such as judicial reform and curbing the influence of wealthy supporters. This is because it may weaken their ability to hold power.
To distract from this reality, Kakachia argued, the ruling party is trying to draw Brussels into discussions about topics that resonate with voters, such as sovereignty, foreign influence and LGBTQ+ rights.
