Georgia's Leadership Puts European Future at Risk

Georgia’s leadership is putting the European future that its people demand at grave risk. The country’s proposed Russian-style draft law on foreign agents has been met with widespread condemnation from both inside and outside of the country, with many calling for Parliament to drop the legislation and make serious progress towards EU candidacy. The consequences of passing this law could be dire. Not only would it put an end to any hope of joining the European Union, but it could also have a chilling effect on free speech and civil liberties in Georgia. This would be a huge setback for democracy in the region, and would be a major blow to Georgia’s reputation as an emerging leader in Eastern Europe. The situation is further complicated by recent events in Ukraine, where Russia has used similar laws to crack down on dissenters and opposition figures. This serves as a stark reminder of what could happen if Georgia passes this legislation – namely, that it will become increasingly difficult for citizens to express their views without fear of retribution or censorship. It is clear that the stakes are high when it comes to this issue, and that failure to act now could have long-term repercussions for Georgian society. It is essential that Parliament drops its proposed law on foreign agents and instead makes serious progress towards EU candidacy – something which many Georgians are demanding – before it is too late.