Georgian President Blocks Attempt to Label NGOs as ‘Foreign Agents’

The Georgian government’s attempt to designate Western-funded NGOs, media outlets, and campaign groups as “foreign agents” was blocked by President Salome Zurabishvili on Saturday. Despite the widespread public protests and international outcry, the ruling party remains determined to push the bill into law.

President Zurabishvili, speaking at a press conference in the capital of Tbilisi, emphasized that the proposed legislation contradicts the country’s constitution and European standards, likening it to laws used by the Kremlin to suppress dissent in Russia. She stressed the need to abolish the law, asserting that it is not subject to any amendments.

The bill, supported by the governing Georgian Dream party, received 84 votes in favor and 30 against in parliament, despite warnings from Brussels about its potential impact on Georgia’s aspirations to join the EU. The European Commission had granted Georgia candidate status in December, despite concerns about human rights regression and the failure to implement crucial reforms.

While President Zurabishvili consistently vowed not to enact the legislation, her veto can be overturned by a simple majority vote in parliament, which is anticipated in the coming days.