Why Georgia’s Youth is Protesting Against the “Foreign Agent” Law

For the past 10 days, an increasing number of young Georgians have gathered in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, to protest against a controversial bill known as the “foreign agent” law. The bill, if passed, would require NGOs and independent media receiving over 20% of their funding from foreign sources to register as organizations working for foreign powers. This has sparked concerns that the new law could be used to suppress dissenting voices and interfere with the upcoming parliamentary elections in Georgia. Many protesters believe that the bill is an attempt by the ruling party, Georgian Dream, to stifle civil society and align more closely with Russia, detracting from Georgia’s path towards EU membership. These concerns have been echoed by European leaders who have warned that the adoption of the law could damage Georgia’s European aspirations. Despite the government’s claims that the bill is about transparency, protesters fear it will have the opposite effect, limiting freedom of expression and association. With tensions rising in Tbilisi and protests showing no signs of slowing down, the plight of Georgia’s youth in defense of democratic values is becoming increasingly urgent.