Large demonstrations broke out across Georgia as thousands protest a new foreign agent law that many fear will be a tool to crack down on dissent in a country that is looking to join the EU.
The government of Georgia wants to put the country back in time to its old Soviet Union days, and it signed a controversial new 'foreign agents' law that many believe will end Georgia’s young democracy. Tens of thousands of angry protesters took to the streets of Tbilisi and other cities across Georgia to voice opposition to the new law and were met with a heavy response from Georgian riot police.
Seskuria said that many rightly feel the government will weaponize the law and silence dissent. The law's provisions are antithetical to EU values, and it is clear that Georgia will be unable to advance on its European integration path while the law is on the books. 'The law would serve Russian interests who want to see Georgia move away from Western allies,' Seskuria added.
Make no mistake: if Russia via its proxies win in Georgia, next on Putin’s authoritarian menu are Moldova and the Balkans,' Stradner added. Despite Georgia’s long odds, former Minister of Defense Khidasheli echoes the sentiment in the streets and will remain optimistic. 'We will win this fight and get Georgia back on its EU and NATO path, but it will be a long and difficult fight,' she said.
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