Georgia’s EU dream in tatters as ‘overseas agent’ invoice turns into legislation

Rising anger over the ruling Georgian Dream birthday celebration’s Russian-style law has noticed massive crowds take to the streets of Tbilisi. | Gabriel Gavin/POLITICO

Responding to the passage of the invoice, the bloc’s most sensible diplomat Josep Borrell mentioned in a commentary that the EU “deeply regrets” the transfer, caution it might contravene Georgia’s commitments underneath the phrases of its candidate standing. He mentioned “inadequate political consideration” were paid to different key spaces by which reform was once wanted, and that Brussels would now weigh up its reaction.

Talking to POLITICO because the vote got here in, Tina Bokuchava, chief of the biggest opposition birthday celebration in parliament, the United Nationwide Motion, accused the federal government of “looking to deprive the Georgian other people in their Ecu long run.”

“Georgia’s Ecu aspirations can also be safeguarded simplest via regime alternate. Forward of October’s elections, it is very important that opposition leaders rally in combination to rescind this Kremlin-inspired legislation and get Georgia again at the Ecu observe,” she mentioned.

Georgian Dream has no longer answered to a request for remark.

Consistent with Kornely Kakachia, director of the Georgian Institute of Politics, the passage of the legislation “marks the consolidation of authoritarianism” that has more and more outlined Georgian Dream’s previous few years in place of work.

Brussels won’t in an instant freeze the rustic’s candidate standing, anticipating the end result of elections in October, he mentioned, “however the procedure will freeze and it gained’t be trade as same old with the Georgian govt.”

This newsletter has been up to date so as to add a newer commentary by way of Josep Borrell.

Author: OpenAI