Georgian FM: Transparency Law needed to protect Georgia’s democratic development

Georgia’s Transparency Law clearly prohibits foreign funding of political parties, including through indirect channels, Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili said.

In an interview with Imedi TV, Botchorishvili said foreign actors support the opposition while, in reality, backing radical groups that run counter to the foundations of democracy.

“Two laws that remain in force are, so to speak, considered the root cause of everything - the suspension of dialogue with the EU, the anger of German foundations and so on. But everyone forgets why these laws were adopted”, she said.

“We needed to adopt these laws to protect our state, our system, the foundations of the state and our democratic development”, the Foreign Minister continued.

Botchorishvili added that foreign interference in politics is unacceptable, noting that German foundations are largely political foundations.

“They engage in political activities. We stated very simply in the Transparency Law that political parties in Georgia cannot be funded from abroad, including through indirect channels. Many have tried to circumvent this, and we have seen such attempts, which is why we have had to amend the law several times”, she said.

“We have had to introduce amendments and additions to address these loopholes as well, so that the flow of foreign money and foreign influence into Georgian politics comes to an end, because this is harmful. It is harmful to the country’s democratic development, and I think they should see this themselves, because the results are evident”, Botchorishvili continued.

She added that foreign actors “support the opposition, so to speak,” but in reality support radical groups that run counter to the foundations of democracy.

“They contradict everything that democracy stands for, and in such circumstances we have to work to protect our state and preserve the foundations on which our country, its security and stability rest. This is not only our right but also our obligation”, Botchorishvili noted.

“We had to do this, we must continue doing it and keep working to ensure that our country, its security and stability are not threatened from anywhere or by anyone. So, I would advise everyone to carefully recall and assess the foundations on which the Transparency Law was adopted in Georgia: why it was adopted, when it was adopted and in what political context. Let us not forget the elections we went through and the interference we witnessed during Georgia’s parliamentary elections”, she concluded.