Tens of thousands of protesters in Georgia are fighting a controversial law that would require NGOs and media companies with more than 20% foreign funding to register as pursuing foreign interests. Supporters see it as a way to prevent foreign influence, while opponents fear it is a move to align Georgia with Russia and suppress dissent. The bill is expected to pass despite widespread protests.
Key Points
The bill requires NGOs and media companies with over 20% foreign funding to register as pursuing foreign interests
Critics see parallels with Russian law used to clamp down on dissent
Protests have been ongoing, with concerns about the bill's impact on Georgia's EU candidacy
The bill is expected to pass despite strong opposition
Pros
Increased transparency on foreign funding
Aligning with similar U.S. law for transparency
Cons
Fear of aligning with Russian practices to suppress dissent
Potential negative impact on Georgia's EU candidacy