In Georgia, campaign groups and independent media say a new law purportedly to curb “foreign influence” represents an existential threat to them. The foreign influence law was passed by the Georgian Parliament in May and resembles similar legislation in Russia. Opinion polls suggest nearly three-quarters — 74% — of Georgians want to join the European Union, but the new law could jeopardize this ambition. The government argues the law is needed to curb harmful foreign actors trying to destabilize the South Caucasus nation of 3.7 million. Many journalists and activists say its true goal is to stigmatize them and restrict debate ahead of elections scheduled for October.
