Police Use Pepper Spray Against Protesters in Tbilisi, Georgia

On April 28, 2024, police used pepper spray against protesters near the Georgian Parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia. Thousands of Georgians staged a "March for Europe" protest, calling on the government to scrap a controversial foreign influence bill that the EU has warned would undermine Georgia's European aspirations.

The protests were a continuation of mass anti-government demonstrations that began in mid-April when the ruling Georgian Dream party reintroduced plans to pass a law critics say resembles Russian legislation used to silence dissent. The rally was organized by around 100 Georgian rights groups and opposition parties.

The proposed law would require any independent NGO and media organization receiving more than 20% of its funding from abroad to register as an organization pursuing the interests of a foreign power. Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has said she will veto the law, but the ruling party holds a majority in the legislature.

The EU has warned that the bill is not consistent with Georgia's bid for EU membership and will bring the country further away from the EU. "The proposed law is 'not consistent' with Georgia's bid for EU membership and will push the country further away from the EU," the EU stated.

Protesters, waving Georgian and EU flags, accused the authorities of going beyond the constitutional framework and betraying the people's unwavering will to pursue EU and NATO membership. Georgia awaits reforms to its judicial and electoral systems, as well as reductions in political polarization and improvements in press freedom, before formal EU membership talks can begin.

Why this matters: The ongoing protests and political tensions in Georgia highlight the country's struggle between pro-Western aspirations and the ruling party's increasingly authoritarian measures. The outcome of this conflict will have significant implications for Georgia's future path and its relationship with the European Union.

Opponents of the proposed foreign influence bill fear it could lead to the closure of many non-governmental organizations that have done good work in Georgia. The European Union and Western countries have warned that the bill could halt Georgia's integration with the EU. The bill must pass three readings in parliament and overcome a veto by the Georgian president, who opposes it.

Key Takeaways

• Thousands of Georgians protested against foreign influence bill in Tbilisi.
• Bill would require NGOs/media with >20% foreign funding to register as foreign agents.
• EU warned bill is inconsistent with Georgia's EU membership bid and will push it away.
• Georgia's ruling party promotes anti-LGBTQ amendments, plans counter-rally on April 29.
• Protests highlight Georgia's struggle between pro-Western aspirations and authoritarian measures.