Georgian Parliament Adopts ‘Foreign Agents’ Law, Drawing Ire of Collective West

After weeks of protests and political wrangling, Georgia’s parliament approved legislation aimed at combatting perceived foreign influence in the small South Caucasus nation. Once enacted, the legislation will require foreign-funded entities to register as “organizations pursuing foreign interests” or face financial penalties. “The bill has been approved,” assembly speaker Shalva Papuashvili said after the May 14 vote, in which lawmakers endorsed a final reading of the legislation. Eighty-four members of parliament voted in favor of the so-called “foreign agents” law, while 30 voted against it. Proponents of the law say it is needed to safeguard the country from malign foreign influences operating under the guise of “civil society.”...