Georgia’s ‘foreign agents’ law could be dropped in return for US support bill

Protesters have demonstrated against the ‘foreign agents’ law for the last month, claiming the government is realigning the country with Moscow. Photograph: David Mdzinarishvili/EPA

A “foreign agents” law in Georgia that has brought hundreds of thousands of protesters on to the streets of Tbilisi could be dropped in return for a package of economic and security support from Washington, the ruling party has hinted.

In response to a draft bill tabled in the US Congress that would open up talks on a trade deal in return for fresh commitments on civil rights, the governing Georgian Dream party said it would need to see progress on such promises within a year.