Russia’s clampdown on non-governmental organisations (NGOs) has garnered increasing attention from politicians in Southeast Europe, with several countries in the region contemplating their own versions of Russia’s controversial "foreign agents" law. 

This law, which has been widely criticised for suppressing opposition voices, has inspired politicians from Bulgaria, Serbia and Bosnia’s Republika Srpska to propose similar legislation in their respective countries.

Despite the widespread protests that erupted in Georgia after the adoption of a similar law in May 2023, which serves as a warning of the potential backlash against such measures, Southeast European politicians appear undeterred. 

Russian playbook 

The legislation in Georgia was modeled after a similar law in Russia, initially adopted in 2012, which has since been expanded. The updated Russian law, passed in 2022, drastically broadens the criteria for labeling individuals or organisations as ‘foreign agents’, casting an exceedingly wide net that includes virtually anyone engaged in civic activism or merely expressing opinions on Russian policies. The law also severely restricts the participation of ‘foreign agents’ in significant areas of public life, further tightening the Kremlin’s grip on dissent.

International human rights organisations, including Human Rights Watch (HRW), have condemned these laws as attacks on free expression and legitimate civic activism. Rachel Denber, the deputy director for Europe and Central Asia at HRW, pointed out in 2022 that the Russian law has been used to "smear and punish independent voices”, equating the term "foreign agent" in Russia to being labeled a "spy" or “traitor”. 

Georgia follows suit 

The law passed by the Georgian parliament requires media outlets and non-governmental organisations receiving more than 20% of their funding from abroad to register as "pursuing the interests of a foreign power." This legislation has been sharply criticised for mimicking the Kremlin’s tactics of stifling dissent, with many fearing that it could signal a Russian-style crackdown on civil society, particularly as Georgia prepares for nationwide elections in October. The opposition in Georgia accused the government of moving closer to Russia, allegedly under the influence of Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party.

The Georgian government, however, remained steadfast in its support of the law, even as mass protests raged across the country. The international community, particularly Georgia’s Western allies, responded with concern and warnings of potential repercussions. The European Union (EU) took immediate action by freezing Georgia’s negotiations for EU membership, effectively halting the country's aspirations to join the bloc before official discussions had even commenced. Additionally, the US reacted by suspending $95mn in aid to Georgia, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken citing the Georgian government’s "anti-democratic" actions as the reason for the move.

"Foreign agents" in the Balkans 

In September 2023, despite the controversies surrounding these laws in Russia and Georgia, Republika Srpska, the Serb entity within Bosnia and Herzegovina, backed a draft law on "foreign agents" at the request of its pro-Russian President, Milorad Dodik. The proposed legislation aimed to establish a special register of non-profit organisations receiving funding from abroad. The government justified this move by claiming that the existing laws on associations and foundations did not adequately regulate transparency or the political activities of NGOs, nor did they ensure the proper oversight of their financial operations.

Critics of the proposed law in Republika Srpska argued that it would significantly curtail freedom of speech and violate fundamental human rights. The Peace Implementation Council (PIC), an international body overseeing the peace process in Bosnia and Herzegovina, urged the parliament to reject the bill, warning that it undermines the core principles of democracy. The EU also weighed in, expressing concerns that the law violated fundamental EU values. 

Despite these objections, the Republika Srpska government proceeded with the legislation but ultimately decided to shelve the draft law in May 2024 without providing an explanation.

Meanwhile, Bulgaria has been grappling with a protracted political crisis, leaving the country without a stable government. In August 2023, two parliamentary committees, led by members of the far-right pro-Russian Vazrazhdane party, called for the immediate drafting and implementation of a "foreign agents" law. 

This demand came shortly after the Bulgarian parliament passed legislation banning LGBT "propaganda" in schools; the proposal for the foreign agents law appeared to be partly motivated by a hearing involving the NGO Single Step, which advocates for LGBT rights in Bulgaria. Kostadin Kostadinov, the leader of Vazrazhdane, accused Single Step of promoting LGBT propaganda and threatened to refer the organization to the prosecution.

The proposed "foreign agents" law in Bulgaria closely mirrors the Russian model, requiring any NGO, artist, journalist or vlogger financed by international organisations to be labeled as a foreign agent. Such a designation would ban them from teaching at universities, making political comments, or participating in projects funded by the state.

The push for a "foreign agents" law in Bulgaria is widely seen as a pre-election strategy by Vazrazhdane, which is expected to perform well in the upcoming snap general election, capitalising on voter dissatisfaction with the country’s dysfunctional political system. Although it remains uncertain whether Vazrazhdane will garner enough support in the fragmented parliament to pass the law, the broad cross-party backing for the LGBT propaganda law suggests that it may advance its agenda.

In Serbia, the government has shown signs of moving in a similar direction. In August, Interior Minister Ivica Dacic revealed that the government had compiled a list of NGOs receiving foreign funding that allegedly interferes in Serbia's political affairs. The announcement came amid ongoing protests in Serbia against lithium mining and government claims of foreign interference. While Belgrade has not yet taken concrete steps to restrict protests or curb the activities of NGOs, Dacic’s remarks suggest that such measures could be on the horizon.

Dacic hinted that Serbia might follow the example of other countries in restricting foreign funding for NGOs, arguing that while political parties in Serbia are prohibited from receiving foreign funds, NGOs are currently allowed to do so despite engaging in political activities. He asserted that similar laws exist in many countries to protect the domestic political landscape, suggesting that Serbia may soon adopt comparable legislation.

Southeast Europe comprises both EU members (like Bulgaria) and aspiring members of the bloc. At the same time, there are persistent concerns about the potential erosion of democratic values, freedom of expression and civil society.