The Georgian Government’s Great Gamble
The Georgian parliament passed the third reading of the bill on foreign agents on May 14. This caused widespread indignation among the large parts of the population and the country’s Western partners. Brussels and especially Washington have grown more outspoken in their criticism of Tbilisi signaling a potentially major shift in their relations with Georgia if the law is finally adopted as it stands.
The ruling party, Georgian Dream, signaled that it might modify some elements of the law, but its complete withdrawal (as happened with the previous attempt to pass it last year) seems unlikely. This is despite weeks of huge street protests by large sections of the population and involving many hitherto apathetic young people.
The party still enjoys support from parts of the population and clearly remains confident that the protests will not translate into a unified political opposition in October’s elections.
President Salome Zurabishvili announced she would veto the law, but Georgian Dream can overcome this given its parliamentary majority. Zurabishvili could suggest amendments, but she seems determined to demand its withdrawal as the only solution to the crisis.
