Ruling party Sec Gen claims EU bureaucrats bothered by transparency, seek “dark money” flows

Kakha Kaladze, the Mayor of Tbilisi and Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Thursday responded to recent remarks by Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, asserting that the Georgian Government's commitment to defending its sovereignty and national interests through legislative measures.

Kaladze’s comments came in response to the statement made by Kallas, who on Wednesday claimed that “Georgia adopted a law that further shrinks civic space”, in reference to the amendments to the organic law on political unions of citizens, according to which, any grant from foreign sources must receive prior approval from the Government of Georgia or an authorised body/person designated by it.

In his remarks, Kaladze emphasised that the legislation was preventing the unregulated influx of dark money into Georgia and was thwarting attempts to orchestrate revolutions.

“Kallas and similar bureaucrats, who oppose Georgia’s independence and sovereignty, will no longer be able to bring in illicit funds without transparency. Consequently, they won’t be able to use this money to attempt coups or revolutions. That is what truly bothers them”, the ruling party official said.

Kaladze further added that all legislative steps taken were in the best interest of Georgia.

“Passing laws and taking specific steps are aimed at ensuring our independence and reinforcing our sovereignty. We will not allow these types of bureaucrats to manipulate Georgia’s interests for their own benefit. No one will be given the right to trample on our national interests”, he concluded.