Overview

• Georgia's ruling party, Georgian Dream, plans to reintroduce a controversial 'foreign agent' bill, requiring organizations with over 20% foreign funding to register as 'pursuing the interests of a foreign power'.
• The bill, likened to Russian legislation, has sparked international and domestic criticism, including from the EU and pro-democracy groups in Georgia.
• Mass protests are anticipated in response to the bill's revival, mirroring the large-scale demonstrations that led to its withdrawal last year.
• Georgia's aspirations to join the EU could be jeopardized by the bill, amid concerns of democratic backsliding and the government's perceived pro-Russian stance.
• The EU, while regretting the bill's reintroduction, has granted Georgia candidate status, indicating a strategic interest in integrating Georgia despite challenges.