What’s behind the recent protests in Georgia?

Thousands angry at so-called ‘foreign agent’ bill passing parliament.

A bill passing through Georgia’s parliament has sparked protests and anger.

The so-called “foreign agents” law would require NGOs and media outlets with more than 20 percent of foreign funding to register with the state.

The Georgian government insists this will bring more transparency about foreign influence in the former Soviet republic.

But detractors say it’s a way to silence critics and control the media.

So, what’s behind the draft legislation?

And if it becomes law, how will it affect Georgia’s relationship with the West and its ambitions to join the European Union?

Presenter: Mohammed Jamjoom

guests:

Maximilian Hess – Fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute

Helen Khoshtaria – Politician and founder of the Georgian opposition party Droa

Donnacha Ó Beacháin – Author and Professor of Post-Soviet Politics at Dublin City University