The US Senate is poised to consider a new bipartisan bill that would impose sanctions on leading Georgian politicians accused of obstructing the country’s integration into the EU. The “Georgian People’s Act,” set to be introduced by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Jim Risch (R-ID), aims to allocate millions for democracy-building while imposing restrictions on Georgian Dream party members.
The proposal comes as the Georgian parliament prepares for a final vote on a controversial “foreign agent” law, which the EU has warned could derail Georgia’s bid to join the bloc. The US bill would impose travel bans and other sanctions on politicians deemed responsible for corruption, human rights abuses, and efforts to advance or facilitate the foreign agent law.
The bill also calls for a permanent suspension of the US-Georgia Strategic Dialogue, a platform for cooperation on security and democracy issues. In addition, it seeks to allocate at least $50 million to support democracy and rule of law projects in Georgia and to initiate investigations into “foreign malign influence” in the country.
Recent weeks have seen tens of thousands of protesters opposing the bill, with riot police responding with tear gas and making violent arrests.
Reports indicate that the US Congress is considering the draft bill, which would impose sanctions on Georgian Dream politicians if they pass the law, while offering visa liberalization, trade deals, and military support if they reverse the perceived democratic backsliding. Georgian Dream has criticized the package as “blackmail” and has called for the incentives to be granted without preconditions.
