A new ‘foreign agent law’ has been vetoed by Salomé Zurabishvili, President of Georgia, in the midst of mass protests across the country. The law, passed mid-May by the Georgian Parliament, would necessitate any independent media outlets or NGOs whose funding from foreign donors makes up over 20% of overall funding to register as organizations representing foreign interests. Critics of the bill view it as a clear barrier in Georgia’s road to achieving EU membership, as one membership condition requires countries to adopt anti-corruption legislation. As more EU candidate countries attempt membership, we may see increased debate over bills of this nature.
Compiled from: Vicky Wong, "Georgia president vetoes 'foreign agent' law", BBC, May 18, 2024.