MEPs condemn Georgia’s “foreign influence law”, urge halting its adoption

The draft law ““seriously restricts media and civil society’s ability to operate freely”

EU accession negotiations "should not be opened as long as such a law is part of Georgia’s legal order"

MEPs call on the Commission and EU countries to assess the draft law’s impact on the EU’s role as a donor in the country

The Parliament on Thursday adopted a resolution calling on the Georgian parliament to halt the adoption of the draft law, which breaches EU values and principles.

The Parliament strongly condemned the re-introduction of the controversial draft law on “transparency of foreign influence” in Georgia in a resolution adopted with 425 votes in favour, 25 against and 30 abstentions. MEPs say the law would impose “debilitating restrictions”. Parliament reiterates that the bill is incompatible with EU values and principles and runs against Georgia’s EU membership ambitions.

On 17 April 2024, the Georgian parliament passed the so-called “transparency of foreign influence” law in its first reading, which would require organisations receiving over 20% of their funding from abroad to register within two months as “organisations pursuing the interests of a foreign power”. They would be subject to additional scrutiny, reporting requirements and possibly sanctions, “seriously restricting media and civil society’s ability to operate freely”, MEPs affirm.

MEPs urge the Georgian parliament to stop the proceedings leading to the adoption of the law, which has been met with mass protests in the country. MEPs are concerned about reports of riot police using disproportionate force to disperse protesters, and call on the Georgian authorities to investigate and hold accountable those responsible.

While the Parliament expresses its unwavering support for the Georgian people’s European aspirations, it also stresses that EU accession negotiations "should not be opened as long as such a law is part of Georgia’s legal order". MEPs calls on the Commission and EU countries to assess the impact of this draft law on the EU’s role as a donor in Georgia.

MEPs also denounce that the Georgian government is taking inspiration from similar Russian legislation that has been used to stifle civil society, independent media, and political opposition.