Georgia Adopts Controversial Foreign Agents Law

(Patria) - The Georgian parliament yesterday approved the draft law on foreign agents in its second reading, a proposed measure that has sparked weeks of protests in the country, local television reported.

The law stipulates that organizations receiving more than 20 percent of their funding from abroad must register as "foreign agents" or face fines, Reuters reminds.

- A total of 83 votes in favor and 23 against. The draft law was adopted in the second reading - said Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili.

The controversial law, which has sparked protests in Georgia, seeks to limit the influence of entities receiving funds from abroad.

The draft was initially submitted to parliament in February 2023 but was withdrawn the following month due to a wave of protests and pressure from Western countries.

After revision, the draft law replaced the term "agent of foreign influence" with "organization promoting the interests of a foreign power," while the rest of the law's content remained the same.