Georgia’s ruling party has said it will drop its controversial bill on “foreign agents” after fierce opposition culminated in two nights of violent protests and criticism that the draft law was inspired by a similar Russian law that has been used to stifle dissent.
The Georgian Dream party said in a statement it would “unconditionally withdraw the bill we supported without any reservations”. It cited the need to reduce “confrontation” in society.
Thousands of protesters rallied against the legislation which was seen to represent a authoritarian shift and could have undercut Tbilisi’s efforts to join the EU.
On Wednesday, hundreds of police, many carrying riot shields, used water cannon and teargas in clashes with protesters in Georgia’s capital. More than 60 protesters were arrested outside parliament in Tbilisi.
Earlier, thousands had marched in the streets to rally against the proposed law that would require any organisations receiving more than 20% of their funding from overseas to register as “foreign agents” or face substantial fines. The legislation is backed by the ruling Georgian Dream party. A comparable 2012 law in Russia has been used to suppress western-funded NGOs and media.
Protesters carrying Georgian, EU and Ukrainian flags gathered outside the parliament building and shouted: “No to the Russian law.” Demonstrators also blocked the city’s central Rustaveli Avenue, after a call from the main opposition party, the United National Movement, to gather there.
Anti-Russian feeling is common in Georgia – once part of the Soviet Union – due to longstanding Russian support for two separatist regions and a brief Russian invasion of the country in 2008. Many Georgians back Ukraine in its war against Russia and the latest polls show 85% of Georgians support EU membership.
Speaking on Wednesday evening, Volodymyr Zelenskiy called for “democratic success” in Georgia.
“There is no Ukrainian who would not wish success to our friendly Georgia. Democratic success. European success,” the Ukrainian president said. “We want to be in the European Union and we will be there. We want Georgia to be in the European Union, and I am sure it will be there. We want Moldova to be in the European Union, and I am sure it will be there. All free nations of Europe deserve this.”
European parliament members Maria Kaljurand and Sven Mikser, senior figures in relations with Georgia, warned that the draft legislation went “directly against the Georgian authorities’ declared ambition to receive candidate status for EU membership.”
“The new law’s purpose, under the guise of promoting transparency, is to stigmatise the work of civil society organisations and media,” their statement added.
In his Wednesday address, Zelenskiy voiced gratitude for Georgian support for Ukraine. “I want to thank everyone who has been holding Ukrainian flags in the squares and streets of Georgia these days. I want to express gratitude for our national anthem that was played in Tbilisi. This is respect for Ukraine and I want to express my sincere respect for Georgia.”