Tensions flared on X this week after German MEP Michael Gahler called leaders of Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream party “Moscow creatures”, criticising recent legislation he says threatens the country’s democratic path.
The remark was sparked by a post from former president Salome Zurabishvili, who accused the ruling party of imposing repressive laws on civil society and the media.
Shalva Papuashvili, chairman of the Georgian Dream-led parliament, responded sharply, saying the MEP’s language tarnished Germany’s image and demanding that Gahler apologise or delete the post. The exchange reflects rising international scrutiny of Georgia’s proposed legal restrictions on foreign funding.
The laws in question aim to regulate foreign grants and funding for NGOs, media outlets and politically related activities. Under the proposals, receiving foreign funds without prior government approval could result in fines, community service or prison sentences of up to six years. Critics argue the laws are overly broad, potentially criminalising routine funding for journalism, research or civil society work.
The Georgian Dream party defends the measures as a safeguard of sovereignty, arguing that foreign actors should not influence internal politics or attempt to fund political activities indirectly. Government officials also stress the importance of transparency in NGO operations and foreign grants.
Human rights and press freedom advocates warn that the laws risk curtailing media independence and civil society activity - a pattern observers say has intensified in Georgia over the past two years with the adoption of the Foreign Agents Law and amendments to broadcasting and grant regulations. International bodies, including the Council of Europe, have emphasised that legal aid, media and civil society institutions should maintain operational independence and protection from political interference.
As the amendments move toward parliamentary approval, the dispute between Georgian Dream officials and European lawmakers underscores the tension between national sovereignty and democratic freedoms. Social media has amplified the debate, with highly charged posts reflecting both political frustrations and international concern.
Iran's leadership warned of a regional conflict on Sunday (1 February) if the U.S. were to attack it, stoking the tension between Washington and Tehra...
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered the start of nuclear talks with the United States, Iranian media reported on Monday, signalling a poss...
Tensions flared on X this week after German MEP Michael Gahler called leaders of Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream party “Moscow creatures”, criti...
German authorities have arrested five people suspected of running a criminal network to circumvent European Union sanctions by exporting goods to at l...
Repeated violations of international law are casting doubts over the effectiveness of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire, one political analyst tol...
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered the start of nuclear talks with the United States, Iranian media reported on Monday, signalling a possible diplomatic opening after months of heightened tensions.
German authorities have arrested five people suspected of running a criminal network to circumvent European Union sanctions by exporting goods to at least 24 sanctioned Russian defence companies, the federal prosecutor’s office said on Monday.
Repeated violations of international law are casting doubts over the effectiveness of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire, one political analyst told AnewZ.
Kazakhstan’s Reform Commission has published a draft of a new Constitution that would mark the most extensive revision of the country’s law since independence, including an absolute ban on the death penalty and more rights and freedoms for citizens.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the United States has begun negotiations with European leaders over Greenland and that an agreement is already taking shape.
The United States accused Cuba of interfering with the work of its top diplomat in Havana on Sunday (1 February) after small groups of Cubans jeered at him during meetings with residents and church representatives.
Iran’s nuclear ambitions continue to shape regional tensions in the Middle East, particularly among key powers such as Israel and Türkiye, according to political analyst Dr Zaur Gasimov.
Dmitry Medvedev, said European countries have failed to defeat Russia in Ukraine and have instead inflicted serious economic damage on themselves, as he criticised EU policy, praised Donald Trump as a leader who seeks peace, and said Russia would “soon” achieve military victory in the war.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned that any U.S. military attack on Iran would spark a wider regional conflict, Iranian semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Sunday.
Iran's leadership warned of a regional conflict on Sunday (1 February) if the U.S. were to attack it, stoking the tension between Washington and Tehran, and it designated EU armies as "terrorist groups" in a retaliatory move.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered the start of nuclear talks with the United States, Iranian media reported on Monday, signalling a possible diplomatic opening after months of heightened tensions.
Repeated violations of international law are casting doubts over the effectiveness of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire, one political analyst told AnewZ.
The European Union’s decision to approve a new 20 million euro military assistance package for Armenia has raised concerns among regional experts, who warn the move could undermine peace efforts between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Gaza's Rafah border crossing with Egypt has reopened for the first time in nearly a year, an Israeli security official said on Monday. It will allow limited movement of medical patients and returning residents under the supervision of European monitoring teams who have arrived at the crossing.
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