In Tbilisi, Georgia, mass protests have engulfed the city as thousands of demonstrators rally against the government's proposed foreign funding law targeting civil society organizations. The draft law would require NGOs and media outlets receiving over 20 percent of their funding from abroad to register as "organizations pursuing the interest of a foreign influence" or face hefty penalties of up to $9,000.

These protests, which have been ongoing for more than two weeks, have seen crowds enduring tear gas and water cannons in their quest for the government to withdraw the controversial legislation. Last year, similar demonstrations forced the government to retract a similar bill, and now the second attempt has only fueled the discontent among the Georgian youth, including school and university students, who fear their dreams of a European future are being undermined.

The demonstrators passionately express their desire to keep Georgia independent and free from what they perceive as Kremlin influence. Each evening, the rallies commence with the singing of the Georgian national anthem, along with the European Union's "Ode to Joy" as a symbol of their aspiration to be part of Europe.

The Georgian government argues that its foreign funding law aligns with legislation in Western countries, but the European Union and others disagree. The EU voices concerns that the law does not resemble Western transparency regulations, such as the planned EU and French directives and the US's Foreign Agents Registration Act.

The tensions have not gone unnoticed by the international community, with Washington expressing alarm. The United States, having provided significant aid to Georgia since the 1990s, has invited Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze to high-level talks. However, the invitation was declined, and instead, Kobakhidze accused the US of supporting "revolutionary attempts" by NGOs operating in the country, such as Transparency International Georgia and ISFED. These organizations often expose government corruption and abuse of power.

Political analysts in Georgia speculate that the government's reluctance to engage with the US may stem from fears that these organizations could influence the outcome of the upcoming general election in October, where the governing Georgian Dream party hopes to secure a majority. Some experts argue that the government's rhetoric echoes the opinion of Bidzina Ivanishvili, the billionaire founder of the governing party, who may be seeking a closer alliance with Russia in light of the geopolitical shifts caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

In addition to the foreign funding law, the ruling party has also promised to restrict LGBT rights and has passed tax code amendments that could make it easier for Russian oligarchs to bank money in Georgia, potentially transforming the country into an offshore zone.

The protests, which have witnessed some of the largest turnouts in the 11-year governance of the Georgian Dream party, have mostly remained peaceful. However, clashes between protesters and law enforcement have occurred, with police officers filmed without identification badges reportedly engaging in physical altercations with demonstrators.

While the opposition remains divided, the European Parliament has expressed concerns regarding the government's backsliding on democracy and the treatment of former president Mikheil Saakashvili. Despite their grievances, some protesters believe that the European Parliament is mistaken in calling for sanctions against Ivanishvili while also demanding Saakashvili's release.

Amidst the political turmoil, European leaders have called on the Georgian government to enact reforms to prevent the country from being dominated by oligarchs. However, this appears to be an unacceptable notion for Ivanishvili, who has tapped into a new narrative claiming that external forces led by the West are attempting to subjugate Georgia and push it into another war with Russia.

As the government presses for the passage of its foreign funding law in late May, the possibility of a dramatic showdown looms. A united opposition, if it materializes, may present a formidable challenge for the government in the upcoming October election. The summer heat serves as a backdrop, intensifying the political climate as the countdown to the election continues.