Georgia’s ‘Foreign Influence’ Law Is Reasonable
American ConservativeMay 07
Protests Continue in Georgia Over 'Foreign Influence' Draft Bill
The Facts
Thousands of Georgians gathered on Saturday evening for a candlelight vigil outside Parliament in Tbilisi on the eve of Orthodox Easter, as protests continue against a proposed bill to stem foreign influence over the country.
For the past month, demonstrators have rallied daily outside the parliament building despite strong police response — including the use of tear gas and water cannons.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
The overwhelming majority of Georgians want to deepen ties with the West, and yet the government is moving forward with its illiberal project — now borrowing tools from Putin's Russia to force civil society actors out of the country. Western countries have a moral imperative to stand with Georgians and impose sanctions on those leading this move.
Establishment-critical narrative
Violent protests against the bill "On Transparency of Foreign Influence" have become all too frequent in Tbilisi due to the outrage and despair of those who are effectively linked to foreign-funded non-profit organizations. And while Russia has yet again been used as a scapegoat, it's actually America's Foreign Agents Registration Act that has inspired this legislation.