Georgia’s EU bid is being sabotaged by its own government, Brussels fears

Inside job?

Some Georgians fear the foreign agent law will be used to suppress critical voices ahead of parliamentary elections in October, where Georgian Dream will seek a fifth term.

“The government wants to remain in power so they’ve intensified silencing critical voices, especially after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. They’re labeling journalists the people’s enemies, this is how they want the society to see us,” said journalist Lika Zakashvili, co-founder of independent online publication Publika, who was among the protesters both this week and last year.

If the bill is passed, Zakashvili’s outlet, which is almost entirely sustained by foreign donor funding, would not just be branded as an agent — the government would also be able to carry out impromptu checks and access reporters’ personal data.

Others say the plans are part of a much wider shift in Georgia’s international positioning.

“It looks like they’re sabotaging Georgia’s European aspirations,” said Kornely Kakachia, director of the Georgian Institute of Politics. As he sees it, the government is unwilling to act on key EU demands regarding the accession process, such as judicial reform and curbing the influence of their wealthy backers, because it could weaken their hold on power.

To deflect attention from this reality, Kakachia argued, the ruling party is trying to draw Brussels into a debate on sovereignty, foreign influence and LGBTQ+ rights, topics that it believes will resonate with voters.