Why Georgia's 'foreign agent' law could dash the country's hopes of joining the EU | DW News 

I knew georgians in berlin one of the nicest people you can meet in your life a mix between europe and the middle east they are very lucky of that mix !!

So basically she's a foreign agent.

Good luck to Georgia! Hopefully they can become fully independent❤️❤️

Rise people. You people be the JUDGE. God bless Georgia's President. ❤❤❤ Peace and love.

Love Georgia, I lived there for over a year, amazing views, and people.

Georgia needs to be independent from this nightmare of Russia for all the might of cost.

lithuanians love georgia. keep strong

This is the best time for all to be free from ruzzia. Hope Georgia can take it. All the best to them.

There will be Georgian government and Russian bots, but the real reason is that voice of the people will be lost and the government will be able to do what it wants without any consequences

Lots of Russian in the comment 🤫

Georgia's Zelenski

What is wrong with registering as a foreing agent when you receive more than 20% funding from abroad? Which part people dont like? The fact that it is called "agent"? It is true that the word does not sound good, but it is only a word. Or the treshold is too low? Should it be at least 50%?

Keep your identity Georgia. If an organization doesnt want you to know who is paying for your news feed they aren't anyone you want as friends. Explain why knowing that is a bad thing for anyone? Ridiculous.

Because it would make it harder for foreign capital to influence Georgian politics.

The problem here is that Madam President can't answer properly. Georgia's foreign policy law looks okay. It can't be the exact same as the US's, as it was adopted in 1938. The US Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and similar laws exist in many democratic countries around the world. Most recently, France's parliament passed a FARA-like foreign interference bill. Do some research before you reply.

Amazing woman! She is always honest and clear! She is absolutely right about everything.

Law they're trying to inforce is different than the ones that are in other eu countries people.

Germany's tax laws limit a tax-exempt NPO's engagement in political activities. A tax- exempt NPO must not spend any of its assets to directly or indirectly benefit political parties, such as through campaigning (Fiscal Code §55(1)).

Transparency is now Russian strategy 😮😅😅😅😂

What is the protest for, one part is saying we don’t want foreigners influence the other doesn’t. Was that wrong assessment?

Fight Georgia 🇬🇪. Fight for your Freedom!!!

Why do the ngo want to hide the source of the funding....what is the logical reason

Can the ngo use money from outside sources to lobby for support

Why so much secrecy with the funding of these NGOs. .?

I believe America Australia etc has a similar law. If u ve nothing to hide then why not declare source of funding?

Many Western nations have registration requirements. What is the objection to this law? How is it "undemocratic"?

America has FARA.. same law.. lol..😂😂

I think what Georgia wants UK already has such laws.

Foreign interest should not be allowed to funnel money into a country to influence its politcal directions or policies. Look at what is happening in across the pond right now. People are protesting in the streets about the open air prison on the strip yet the 'bought' political representatives are singing to the tune of their paymasters.

Its funny regarding that youtube signs under your video who is your exact financier. Not that I see any problem with that.

I'll just remind you how this law works in Russia. There is a civil activist and blogger Ilya Pigalkin in the Russian city of Ivanovo. He is not affiliated with any foreign organization. He was just an observer at the local elections. Once his female neighbor borrowed 2,000 rubles ($25) from him, and then her husband repaid the debt with a transfer from his bank card. The husband at that time was a citizen of Afghanistan, then he obtained Russian citizenship. And this bank transfer became the reason for declaring Pigalkin a "foreign agent". This is no joke: a neighbor paid back a debt and the man was declared a foreign agent. All because the ruling party doesn't need honest election observers.

Wouldn't this law negatively affect the Kremlin propagandists in Gerogia as well?

“The most fundamental and important legal difference between FARA and the Georgian foreign agents law is how they define a “Foreign Agent.” The Georgian law defines a foreign agent as any non-commercial legal person, which receives more than 20% of its funding from a “foreign power,” which includes companies, foundations, and individuals, not just governments. The US law, on the other hand, defines a foreign agent as any person (legal or physical) who is under the control of, or acts at the direction of, a foreign power and acts in the interests of that foreign power. In short, these are the elements of an agent - a representative - of a foreign power. Financing is only one of several indicators of the link between the principal and the agent. But it is not definitive or exclusive, while under the Georgian law it is both.”

Let this lady free President Saakashvili, she has the authority.

How is an organization nongovernmental, if it is financed by a foreign government?

USA has Foreign Agent Registration Act. So...

Not also a Georgia 😢

😭🙏

Double standard as usual

"Yeah,.... I don't really want a law that requires my organization to disclose where we get a great portion of our funding. I want the source of our funding to remain secret. You can just trust us." ......Says only the politicians in power!

Russian law? This is american law 😂😂

It is not Russia forcing Georgia one way or another, it is the EU blackmailing Georgia legitima leaders!

❤

Referendum right now

It's kind of harsh law.

The interviewer needs to not interrupt her guest. Clearly, Putin has invested some of his dwindling foreign currencies in buying some Georgian politicians.

Seems like the president and the people are united. But unfortunately the government is too divided and unstable if this bill keeps coming up. Candidates for membership should be broadcasting a stable united government. But i do believe this is a good first steps towards Georgias goals for EU membership and once their government can all be in the same mindset of what needs to be done and not to have their people protest unjust laws every time, when that time happens, I believe Georgia needs to be a member.

Und manchmal gibt es gute Leute unter den Deutschen!

I bet CIA did this

It's a democracy. Instead of crying, just vote them out and reverse the law..🤷

US has a foreign agent law. They apply to all countries except for Israel. Georgia can do the same, have a foreign agent law to control Russian's influence but make exception for NGOs and foreign agents funded by US and EU. This way it will make Georgia government looks good while in reality, Georgia can still become a vassal state of the US and EU. Ooops, did I just say that out loud !?!?

Georgia should be a part of Turkey like in the good old days

Georgia needs to be independent from Russia and from the West. In my opinion forcing foreign agents to register is a good thing. The USA forces foreign agents to register (except for the Israeli ones). Why Georgia can not do the same? Ukraine became a puppet of the USA, this is a good move of Georgia not to follow the steps of Ukraine.

As an Asian, Georgia is definitely European in culture despite sharing the same continent.

The reason Georgian people could not make their decision whom they will join is eu or russia that is result of problems

God Bless that poor woman. She has had to bear many burdens and climb many mountains in that country against Russian influence.

This law was first introduced and enacted in the usa.

The Georges must now decide whether they want to become like Russia/Berlarus. Does it look tempting?

Very creditable law at that, I don't see any😢wrong in controlling of foreign Aid .😮😮😮😮

The law is totally reasonable and appropriate, even the US have such a law, so why not Georgia? Ah, yes, the West still trying to win Georgia for its expansion plans in the East, and needs it as a buffer zone against Russia. Well. the only thing to say is that Georgia should not listen to either EU or Russia, and drive a middle road between the two, in other words, be friends, and trade with both, but no military bases to threaten the other from either side.

Which country first passed the foreign agent law?

How are these lawmakers in power? How voted them in, in the first place?

I think something needs to be done to prevent Russian influence in all western states.. If a law like this is the answer, I do not know.. But it could be used as part of it.. Maybe ?

Americans shpuld rise also. They have the same law, lmao

Foreign agents bills in the West are honorable, but foreign agents bills in Eastern Europe are anti democratic. Seems Geirgia want a taste of what Ukraine is receiving.😂😂😂

That's pretty random to have a president on the show.

🇬🇪🇪🇺🇺🇦

Cool////////

Our president is a true patriot, thank you very much

But USA gas same law

Can't Russia stop bothering their neighbors?

A country is it's people, governments can only go against their people's wishes for so long. As long as there are people with dreams for a future they will work loudly or silently to make that future a reality.

I find it suspicious that you would not want transparency regarding who funds the ngos in your country. I certainly make a point of knowing mine. Maybe you should too.Sounds like you might be having a “problem” there? Don’t try to drag me into a fight between you and Russia. I am not interested.

Something does not jive here. How does Russia influence the Georgian government when we know that Georgia is practically in a state of hostilities with Russia due to 2008 war, Abkhazia and Ossetia? The problem seems to be internal division in the country. The elected government wants to pass the foreign influence law and the madam president wants to veto it. But apparently the government has enough votes in the parliament to override her veto. Sounds to me like democracy. So what is wrong? Russia did not make the Georgian government to pass this law. Where is the truth? Before I let this go with a big question mark, the USA has such a law on the books since 1938 and just now in Canada there is this big debate about foreign interference in elections. Not Russia but China, India and Pakistan. There are reasons why governments pass such laws.

Georgia relationship with Russia sounds like German relationship with US right

The same law exists in the US.

A president who was never born in Georgia

Georgia is preparing to be next western tool😂

Berlin 1945

Do not be fooled into thinking that "transparency" = honesty . Indeed, it is the very opposite and the Kremlin has worked on the wording for a year...becasue all organizations in Georgia are fully transparent already. The law is designed to TARGET anyone who seeks to avoid the isolation of Georgia. The law is designed to TARGET all "ruZZia-phobic" voices, the end game ? ::::SUFFOCATE Georgian economic growth and prosperity:: The law is designed to substitute and compensate for the failed assimilation of Ukraine -The law means that under "suspicion" , any organization that is critical of Putin's regime would be targetted and shut down this means. - opposition to the illegal occupation, ( 20% of Georgia is already occupied ) SHUT DOWN - opposition to forcing women out of politics, (women are "supposed to" marry and provide soldiers ) SHUT DOWN - any human rights organizations opposing the indoctrination of children, gradually forced to join "soviet groups" that prepare them to die, for Putin or provide children to die for Putin. SHUT DOWN - Businesses that open areas of developing economy outside of the Kremlin, ( all industry would be dependent on Russian business only ) SHUT DOWN - russification and gradual removal of the Georgian language. free speech and use of English/German/ "western languages " SHUT DOWN I think you see why people have been protesting.

Fun Fakt: Same law are existed in: Germany, UK, France, US and the rest oft the West.

Imagine wanting to join the eu. It’s literally destroying itself in real-time

The problem isnt the law or the wording of the law. The problem is that russia has the same law and uses it to limit, harass and arrest organizations based on it. If you are a gun rights activist in the usa it is similar to the idea of registering your guns. On its own that is not so bad, but the reason gun rights people are against it is because they believe the govt will use those lists against people later on.

Fight for your freedom if you don’t want to be like Belorussia.

All countries have similar laws. This stops foreign interferences working through NGOIS funded by NED a CIA branch. The US also has similar laws which why why they banned RT

That s not accurate! The law supports clarity , transparent declaration of who (what agency) and how spends money in the country . Sick of Georgia being sold and shorted !

It's not a Russian Law; it's an American Law. The USA adopted a similar law in the 1930s.

Georgia should become a part of Turkey

Join eu,please

It’s fine to have FARA law in 🇺🇸(Foreign Agents Registration Act), and jail those who violate it. But when Georgia and other countries do that, it’s a threat to freedoms and democracy?🧐

US and Eu /NATO They are still in Ukraine problem now they want to push Georgia again into another ,democracy champions.

we need this law in The USA, our country is ran by other countries, and the rich

who is afraid of the new law ?????the answer is the foreign agents...adopt the USA law existing since 1938....

Joining EU??? Dream on Georgians….

She has a French accent. She is French ? 👍👍