Thread by @NeilPHauer

Georgia's ruling party, having rammed through the first reading of a Russian-style 'foreign agents' law in parliament this afternoon, is now preparing to violently disperse demonstrators protesting the bill with water cannons

Just about every Western partner of Georgia, from international organizations to states, has warned that passing the law will do massive damage to Georgia's relations with them. Ruling Georgian Dream party does not seem to care, and draws closer to killing Georgia's EU bid.

Really does feel like the point of no return for Georgia if the ruling party passes this law. The consequences have been made clear, and it will put an end to any further Georgia-Western integration for the foreseeable future. Georgia deserves better than these criminals.

Georgian riot police now using water cannons and pepper spray nearly indiscriminately on protesters

The symbolism here is over the top. Unbelievable how bad the optics of all this are, let alone the content.

For those unaware, Georgia has probably the most pro-Ukraine/EU population out of any country in the world, save maybe Poland or Baltics. Every second flag in Tbilisi is Ukrainian; every second wall has pro-UA/anti-RU graffiti. That's what makes the govt's moves so despicable

Georgian Dream is in power for many reasons, but two main ones: 1. they always promised EU/NATO integration 2. opposition (led by former president Saakashvili) was broadly despised. This turn to ram through a law that will kill EU ambitions has come in past couple months.

Georgia's relations with EU/US under Georgian Dream have been on the decline for 2-3 years, but present events are far more damning than anything to date

(This is a very basic summary - for more detailed coverage, read @OCMediaorg @eurasianet who have great reporting and analysis on Georgia, including live from the protests right now)