A group of 31 lawmakers from the European Parliament wrote a letter on May 7 to Josep Borrell, the EU’s top diplomat, calling for the suspension of Georgia’s EU candidate status. The lawmakers expressed concern over the undemocratic behavior of the Georgian authorities, specifically highlighting the push for a ‘Russian-style’ law on foreign agents. This legislation would require organizations receiving foreign funding to be labeled as foreign agents, subjecting them to increased scrutiny. The passage of this law would likely stifle NGOs and civil society organizations, potentially impacting those that monitor election integrity and government corruption. The letter stated that the passing of such a law would harm Georgia’s chances of joining the EU and called on Borrell to take a firm stance against it.
The proposed foreign agents draft law in Georgia has sparked widespread condemnation in the West, with EU officials openly stating that its passage would negatively impact the country’s EU aspirations. The legislation, which mirrors repressive Russian laws used to target Kremlin critics, has led to nightly mass demonstrations in Georgia. In response to the protests, the police have reportedly used tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons to suppress the demonstrators. The letter from the European Parliament lawmakers not only called for the suspension of Georgia’s EU candidate status but also urged a review of EU funding for the country and an immediate assessment of the required reforms that Georgia must implement as part of the accession process. Despite polling suggesting strong support for EU membership among Georgians, the lawmakers emphasized the importance of upholding democratic criteria for all EU candidate countries.
On April 29, the ruling Georgian Dream party organized a massive rally in Tbilisi, bringing in tens of thousands of supporters from around the country to show solidarity with the government’s democratic backsliding. Party leaders, including Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze, participated in the rally. The event aimed to garner public support for the passage of the controversial ‘Russian-style’ law on foreign agents, which has been met with opposition both domestically and internationally. The government’s decision to push for this legislation has raised concerns about the erosion of democratic principles in Georgia and has triggered a series of protests that have been met with increased repression by the authorities.
The letter sent to Josep Borrell by the European Parliament lawmakers called for a firm stance against the undemocratic behavior exhibited by the Georgian authorities. The lawmakers emphasized the need to uphold democratic criteria for all EU candidate countries, including Georgia, and warned that the passage of the foreign agents law would jeopardize the country’s EU aspirations. The strong condemnation of the legislation by Western officials reflects the broader concern over the erosion of democratic norms in Georgia and the potential impact on civil society organizations, election monitoring, and government accountability. The letter also called for a review of EU funding for Georgia and an assessment of the status of the required reforms for EU accession.
The ongoing protests in Georgia, sparked by the government’s attempts to pass the ‘Russian-style’ law on foreign agents, have highlighted the growing discontent among the populace. The mass demonstrations, occurring on a nightly basis, reflect the public’s resistance to the constriction of civil liberties and the increasing authoritarian tendencies of the government. The use of force by the police, including tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons, to suppress the protests has further intensified the unrest in the country. The European Parliament lawmakers’ call for the suspension of Georgia’s EU candidate status underscores the gravity of the situation and the need to address the democratic challenges facing the country.
The push for the ‘Russian-style’ law on foreign agents in Georgia has raised concerns about the government’s commitment to democratic principles and its willingness to abide by international standards. The legislation, if passed, could have a chilling effect on civil society organizations and restrict their ability to operate freely. The protests against the law indicate a broad-based opposition among the public and civil society to authoritarian measures that threaten democratic values. By calling for the suspension of Georgia’s EU candidate status and urging a review of EU funding, the European Parliament lawmakers are sending a clear message to the Georgian authorities that democratic backsliding will not be tolerated. The outcome of this struggle will not only affect Georgia’s EU aspirations but also have broader implications for the future of democracy in the region.
