Despite a veto by pro-Western President Salome Zourabichvili, the controversial "Foreign Influence" Law (translation here) was passed by the Georgian Parliament on May 28th. This law requires media outlets and NGOs to register as "foreign agents" if more than 20% of their funding comes from abroad.

The government maintains the law is necessary to counter foreign interference that could destabilize Georgia's democracy. However, critics, including journalists and NGOs, argue it resembles Russian legislation used to silence dissent. They fear the law will restrict media freedom, hinder NGO work, and damage democratic processes.

Large protests against the law have erupted in Georgia for the past few weeks, particularly in the capital Tbilisi. During the vote, angry crowds gathered near the Parliament building, demanding sanctions from the United States and the EU on Georgia's leadership. They hope such pressure from the West might force the government to reconsider.

The law's passage is not just controversial domestically; it also raises concerns about Georgia's EU accession process. The EU prioritizes democratic principles and media freedom. With the EU and other Western allies already criticizing the law, its passage could strain relations and make the EU less likely to support Georgia's EU bid.