Thousands took to the streets of Tbilisi, Georgia, to protest against the proposed law. The law would make non-governmental organizations that receive more than 20 percent of their funds from abroad as 'agents of foreign influence.' Many Georgian civil society and democracy promotion projects are financed by the West, including money from the EU and the USA.
It would jeopardize Georgia's accession to the EU, which many Western-oriented Georgians want. EU Ambassador Pawel Herczynski has spoken out strongly against the proposed law, saying it is not compatible with EU values and norms. The ruling Georgian Dream party had already tried to get the law passed in spring 2023. It was withdrawn at that time due to massive protests. In April of this year, it was passed in a first reading. It is very similar to the 'Russian law' passed in Russia in 2012. It could be misused in Georgia, just as it was by Putin in Russia, to politically persecute pro-Western forces.