Levan Berdzenishvili, an opposition-minded scholar and literature professor, expressed concerns about the proposed Transparency of Foreign Influence bill. He warned that its adoption could disrupt the electoral process.

Berdzenishvili’s comments followed after the parliamentary majority on Wednesday decided to resubmit the bill on the Transparency of Foreign Influence to the Parliament.

“It’s evident that the government is treading the path of betraying our homeland, and they will face judgment in due time,” Berdzenishvili remarked with the Mtavari Arkhi TV channel.

“Our government seems to be repeating its past mistakes. They faced strong public backlash in the past and were compelled to retract the law they had passed. Now, they are testing us to see if we have forgotten our principles. It is difficult to explain their actions. However, if this bill is passed, it would essentially mean that elections cannot be held in Georgia. It is because half of the political establishment, the entire NGO sector and others would be found in the ranks of organizations that are 20% financed by foreign entities. This would disqualify anyone from participating in elections except for them,” Berdzenishvili asserted.

The draft Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence was initiated in the Parliament of Georgia, and the amendments will be discussed further in the Bureau session next Monday.

The Georgian Dream party stated that the draft law presented in parliament this year is identical to the one proposed last year, except for one change. Instead of using the term ‘foreign agent,’ the new version uses the phrase ‘an organization carrying out the interests of a foreign power’.