EU warns candidate country Georgia over disputed ‘foreign agent’ law

The European Union criticized Georgia’s ruling party’s decision to reintroduce a controversial Russia-inspired foreign agent law, warning that “ensuring media freedom” is critical to the EU accession process.

“The announcement by the ruling party in Georgia to re-introduce a draft law on ‘Transparency of Foreign Influence’ raises serious concerns,” the EU’s foreign policy arm said in a statement Thursday.

“Creating and maintaining an enabling environment for civil society organisations and ensuring media freedom is at the core of democracy,” it added. “It is also crucial […] for the EU accession process.”

The Georgian Dream party on Wednesday revived the so-called foreign agent law, a controversial proposal to brand charities, pressure groups and opposition media outlets receiving funding from overseas as agents of foreign influence.

The Georgian government already attempted last year to introduce the law — which resembles similar legislation used by Moscow to crack down on the opposition — but was forced to “unconditionally withdraw” the proposal amid massive public outcry and huge street protests in Tbilisi.

“The EU regrets that it is once again being considered despite strong public and international reactions in March 2023,” the EU’s statement added.

Georgia was granted EU candidate status in December 2023, despite Brussels warning that the country is at risk of backsliding on democracy and human rights.

Just last week, the Georgian government announced it would introduce a bill to criminalize the promotion of same-sex relationships, similar to Russia’s tough “LGBTQ+ propaganda” rules.