Moscow observes as Eastern European country enacts legislation leaning towards Moscow amidst violent demonstrations.

Georgia's government aims to return the country to its Soviet past through a new "foreign agents" law, which has sparked controversy and concerns about the end of its young democracy.

On Saturday, nearly 200,000 people gathered in Tbilisi and other cities across Georgia to protest against a new law. The protesters were met with a heavy response from Georgian riot police.

Protesters have been outside the parliament building, banging against barricades and smashing barriers, resulting in violent clashes with police.

A joint statement by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-NH., and Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, condemned the law passed in Georgia, calling it "a dark day for Georgian democracy."

The Justice Ministry requires registration as a foreign agent for any civil society organization that receives more than 20% of its funding from abroad, according to the law. This law imposes significant penalties and burdens, which human rights organizations believe will marginalize and discredit opposition voices, and have a chilling effect on free speech.

According to Human Rights Watch, it poses a threat to the country's fundamental rights.

Supporters of the law argue that it will prevent foreign influence in Georgia's internal affairs. However, critics contend that the law is based on a Russian law that is used to suppress dissent.

Former Georgia Minister of Defense Tinatin Khidasheli stated on Planet Chronicle Digital that the law will enable them to launch a witch hunt against anyone who does not agree with their stance and oligarchic style of governance.

An associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, Natia Seskuria, stated that the law will hinder Georgia's progress towards Europe and democracy.

She stated that it is a potent instrument for the government to restrict civil liberties and freedom of expression.

Seskuria stated that many people correctly believe that the government will use the law to suppress opposition. The law contradicts EU values, and it is evident that Georgia will not progress on its European integration journey while the law remains in effect.

Seskuria stated that the law would benefit Russian interests if Georgia distanced itself from Western allies.

The Georgian Dream ruling party and the bill's sponsors have publicly stated that the law aims to target government critics, the LGBT community, and any dissent deemed unacceptable by the ruling government, according to Human Rights Watch.

After weeks of heated debate in the Georgian Parliament, the law was passed with an overwhelming majority of 84 votes in favor and 30 votes against, despite civil society's active opposition.

Despite Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili's opposition, the Parliament can override her veto with a simple majority, effectively neutralizing her role and ensuring the law's passage.

In 2023, Parliament attempted to pass a law identical to the one proposed in 2023, but it was met with massive protests, and lawmakers eventually withdrew the bill due to public sentiment.

Georgians have long aspired to join the EU, with polls showing up to 83% of Georgians in support. In March 2022, Tbilisi formally applied for EU membership after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and was granted candidate status in December 2023. However, the ruling party is seen as sympathetic towards Russia and a hindrance to the Georgian people's goal of joining the EU.

According to Ivana Stradner, a research fellow at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, Russia's war in Ukraine is not solely about Ukraine. Instead, Putin is an ideologue who aims to destroy the rules-based order and has a long-term vision, which is currently being realized in Georgia.

Putin's proxies are closely monitoring Georgia and making strategic decisions, including the Serbian entity in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where a similar law on foreign agents will be debated in parliament next week, as stated by Stradner.

The result of Western appeasement will put the West on the defensive and further erode democracy, warned Stradner.

If Russia wins in Georgia through its proxies, Putin's next move will be to target Moldova and the Balkans, according to Stradner.

Although Georgia faces long odds, former Minister of Defense Khidasheli maintains an optimistic outlook, sharing the same sentiment as the people.

"Getting Georgia back on its EU and NATO path will be a long and challenging battle, but we will ultimately succeed," she stated.