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At first glance, the bill may sound innocuous: any civil organization that receives more than 20% of its funds from abroad must register as a foreign-influenced organization. Yet the new law, passed by Georgia’s parliament yesterday, sparked discontent and demonstrations in the capital, Tbilisi.
Critics say the bill is “Kremlin-inspired” because Putin passed a similar law in 2012 that they say has had a chilling effect on civil society. Demonstrators believe this is a way to redirect Georgia to Russia. The Guardian’s chief reporter, Daniel Boffitalk to young protesters – often students – about why they are so angry.
He says Michael Safi, how for years Georgia walks the tightrope between the European and Russian powers to be happy. It has accession status from the EU. Yet one of the most powerful people in the country, oligarch and politician Bidzina Ivanishvili, supports the new law, which could threaten closer ties with Europe. And the shadow of the war in Ukraine is set as an example of what can happen if Russia is angered. Still, protesters say they won’t back down.
Photo: Zurab Tsertsvadze/AP
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