Parliament Speaker warns of risks when foreign money influences Georgian politicians

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Tuesday said politicians must make decisions based solely on the interests of the Georgian people, warning that when receiving funding from abroad, there was a risk they may act in line with foreign interests rather than those of their own country.

In his remarks, Papuashvili noted that the law on political associations of citizens would be amended to ensure that political parties in Georgia were entirely prohibited from receiving any form of foreign funding - including through seminars or development programs.

“Before the elections, we witnessed significant foreign interference in our democratic processes and the formation of public will. Unfortunately, it has become a common practice for political parties to be funded from abroad during election campaigns. This clearly requires appropriate regulation”, the Speaker said.

Papuashvili explained that the legislative package addressed two main issues, primarily the financing of parties. He noted that while direct foreign funding was already prohibited, a loophole existed where foreign entities could finance parties through unpaid seminars or party development programs.

The Speaker specifically mentioned the European Endowment for Democracy's alleged indirect funding of the opposition Droa party through the European Union budget. He also pointed out that many politicians had acknowledged receiving funds from various foreign foundations.

“Of course, when we talk about a politician having to make decisions in the interests of the Georgian people, if they receive money from abroad, then there is a risk that they will act in the interests of a foreign country. We see that there are political groups that have harmful interests towards Georgia. Therefore, it will be regulated so that parties cannot receive any foreign funding, including in the form of such seminars or various events”, he concluded.