Discrediting messages by pro-government social media pages against the protest on the Russian-style “Foreign Agents Law”
15 March, 2023
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On the 2nd of March, at the joint session of the foreign relations and defense and security committees, the parliament launched debate on a so-called "foreign agents" draft law that was initiated by the members of Georgian Dream parliamentary majority, calling themselves “People Power” and supported by the ruling "Georgian Dream". The controversial draft law, reminiscent of a 2012 Russian one, was widely criticized for its alleged disastrous effects on Georgian civil society.
On the 6th of March, the debate—accompanied by fierce protests—was held on a legal affairs committee, which gave initial approval to the "foreign agents" law. The massive protests in front of Georgia’s parliament were triggered when the parliament decided to hold a plenary session on March 7, one day earlier than was initially planned.
On March 7, the parliament passed the law in its first reading by 76 votes in favor amid large-scale street protests. As a result of the public outcry and the unequivocal international condemnation of the bill, the ruling majority dropped the proposal. During and in follow-up of the protests, Georgian social media space witnessed coordinated smear campaigns against organizations and individuals critical of the law.
