Author
10-06-2024
The ruling Georgian Dream majority overrode the president’s veto on the Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence, commonly referred to as the foreign agents’ law or the Russian law. The law was subsequently passed with 84 votes in favor and 4 against, marking the final step for the controversial legislation to be enforced. This move poses a significant threat to Georgia’s democracy, placing the country in the category of semi-consolidated authoritarian regimes, according to a Freedom House report. Georgia’s long-standing Western partners in Washington and Brussels had repeatedly urged the Georgian government to reject the controversial bill. However, the Georgian Dream decided to enact the law, ignoring international recommendations and domestic public uprisings.
At the request of the Georgian Institute of Politics (GIP), a selection of experts from different countries responded to the following questions:
- How can the international community respond to the undemocratic developments and the Georgian Dream government’s shift towards authoritarianism?
- What can civil society do to withstand the existing pressure in the current context?
