Amidst ongoing protests, the Georgian government has passed a controversial law aimed at tightening regulations on non-governmental organizations in the country. The legislation received 83 votes in favor and 23 votes against in parliament, with Prime Minister Iraqi Kobachidze announcing that the third reading of the law will take place in two weeks. Critics have raised concerns that it could be used to target pro-Western groups by mandating that non-governmental organizations receiving more than 20% of their funding from abroad must disclose the sources of their funding.
The ruling Georgian Dream party has been accused of increasing authoritarianism in the lead-up to the parliamentary elections in the fall, with pro-European demonstrators fearing that these actions may jeopardize Georgia’s chances of joining the EU. The Interior Ministry defended the police’s actions during the protests, stating that demonstrators had attempted to break into parliament, leading to the use of force to restore order. However, reports indicate that police used water cannons, tear gas, and rubber bullets against demonstrators, resulting in several injuries.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has expressed concern over the situation in Georgia, condemning the violence in Tbilisi and emphasizing the importance of Georgia continuing on its path towards Europe. She urged the country to uphold democratic principles as tensions rise between government and civil society. The future of Georgia’s relationship with