The German Foreign Affairs Ministry has responded to the ongoing protests in Tbilisi against the Russian Law, declaring that the Georgian government has a responsibility not to intentionally obstruct the country's path to a European future.
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"Thousands in #Georgia protest every night for free speech and a vibrant civil society. EU candidate status represents a historical opportunity. The Georgian government has a responsibility not to willfully obstruct the country’s path to a European future," said the statement published on X.
The ruling Georgian Dream has once again initiated the Russian-style law on so-called Foreign Agents in parliament. This law was withdrawn a year ago as a result of extensive protests involving thousands of people, and a promise was made that it would never be adopted again. The Russian Law requires independent media and non-governmental organizations that operate with grant support from international organizations and cannot be controlled by the government or related groups to register as foreign agents.
On April 17, 83 members of the Georgian Parliament supported the Russian-style law in the first reading. Earlier, on April 12, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, in a meeting with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, stated that Germany, like the entire European Union, views the law on so-called agents very critically. The chancellor expressed hope that the parliament would not accept it.
Protests against the Russian Law have been ongoing in Tbilisi near the parliament since April 15. In contrast, Georgian Dream is organizing a "universal public meeting" in front of the parliament building on April 29 in support of the Russian law. Employees in public services are obliged to participate in the event.
