The ruling Georgian Dream party in Georgia staged a massive rally in Tbilisi on April 29, with tens of thousands of people bussed in from around the country to support the country’s democratic backsliding. The rally coincided with the approval of the controversial foreign agents bill, which would require organizations receiving foreign funding to be labeled as “foreign agents.” This legislation mirrors Russia’s repressive tools used to silence opposition and allows authorities to monitor communications of these organizations. Party leaders, including Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and Bidzina Ivanishvili, the party’s founder and the country’s richest man, gave speeches marked by anti-Western rhetoric and conspiracy theories.
Oligarch Ivanishvili, the most powerful man in Georgia, has built his political career on criticizing President Mikhail Saakashvili, who is currently imprisoned on charges believed to be politically motivated. Ivanishvili claimed that foreign NGOs helped bring the United National Movement (UNM) party to power and warned that they are working with the “radical opposition” to bring back an inhumane dictatorship. The Prime Minister also criticized the opposition and affiliated NGOs, dismissing the widespread protests and a resolution from the European Parliament condemning the foreign agents law. Despite Georgian Dream leaders stating they are in favor of joining the EU, their actions have put Georgia’s accession at risk.
Roads leading to Tbilisi were blocked by minivans carrying government supporters to the rally, with reports of attendees being public servants brought through a combination of instructions, threats, and bribes. The demographic composition of the rally differed from previous protests, with older people dominating instead of the youth. Despite expectations of confrontation, there was no significant counter-protest, and attendees left by minibusses before 11 p.m. One incident involved an apartment playing “no to Russian law” on a loudspeaker, drawing sharp words and tossed bottles. The youth group Dafioni urged its supporters not to escalate the confrontation.
Georgian President Zourabichvili criticized the tactic of bussing in supporters as reminiscent of Putin-type actions. Analysts noted Ivanishvili’s speech was focused on demonizing the West and portraying Russia as innocent. Former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt commented that the speech reflected a regime alien to EU values and interests. Civil society activists condemned the government’s announcement of repression against the people, rigged elections, censorship, and a Soviet-style regime. The parliament is set to vote on the foreign agents law, with calls for continued protests in front of the building.
The reactions to Ivanishvili’s speech reflect a growing consensus that Georgian Dream officials have ramped up their anti-Western rhetoric and are no longer interested in pursuing European integration. Analysts believe Ivanishvili has chosen to align with Russia over Europe. As protests against the foreign agents law continue, civil society organizations are calling for citizens to join the demonstration. Despite being offered candidate status by the European Council for EU accession, Georgia’s lack of progress in required reforms and alignment with repressive measures like the foreign agents law are putting its European future at risk.
The Parliament of Georgia approved the foreign agents law with 83 lawmakers in favor, while opposition lawmakers boycotted the vote. The law, if passed in three readings, will require organizations receiving foreign funding to be labeled as foreign agents, allowing authorities to monitor their communications. The Georgian Dream party’s rally and support for this legislation signal a departure from European integration and alignment with Russia, drawing criticism from Western analysts and civil society activists.
