Mamuka Khazaradze: "When you criticize another opposition party, you must loudly declare where your funding comes from! I’m writing this here now because I couldn’t get an answer to this question during a private meeting," wrote the leader of "Strong Georgia" on social media.

Mamuka Khazaradze commented on the positions expressed regarding state funding of political parties, noting that repeating the "Georgian Dream's" narrative by some opposition members is nothing more than participating in the ruling party’s "message box" and script.

Khazaradze also added that party funding comes from the state budget and will immediately stop as soon as their mandate termination requests are satisfied.

Until then, the funds will be directed toward supporting those affected during protest actions and other needs.

"I don’t intend to get caught up in this issue during such an important and challenging period, but some things need to be said...

Repeating the ‘Georgian Dream’s’ narrative about party funding by some opposition members is nothing more than participation in the ruling party’s ‘message box’ and script.

Now, here is our position: The salaries of our elected MPs are disconnected. As for party funding, it comes from the budget and will be halted immediately upon the satisfaction of our requests to annul mandates. Until then, we will use these funds to support those harmed during protests and others in need, which we are already doing. Budget funds have nothing to do with the legitimacy of Parliament.

P.S. When you criticize another opposition party, you must openly declare where your funding comes from! I am now writing about it here because I couldn’t get an answer to this question during a private meeting. I didn’t want this debate, but when you’re speaking using the ‘Georgian Dream’s’ message box, let it be clear who’s who and whose game they’re playing. Or, who benefits from overshadowing the American pressure on ‘Georgian Dream’ and confusing voters just before December 29?" Khazaradze wrote on Facebook.

It’s worth noting that, based on the results of the parliamentary elections, six political entities will receive state funding. According to the Central Election Commission (CEC), under the law, as of November 26—two days after the recognition of the new Parliament’s authority following the October 26 elections—seven political entities became eligible for state funding:

• Georgian Dream - Democratic Georgia;
• United National Movement;
• Coalition for Change - Gvaramia, Melia, Girchi, Droa;
• For Georgia (Gakharia’s party);
• Lelo for Georgia;
• Alliance of Patriots of Georgia;
• New Political Center - Girchi.

According to the CEC, only the Coalition for Change - Gvaramia, Melia, Girchi, Droa declined the funding.

After the CEC’s statement, Nika Gvaramia, leader of "Coalition for Change," criticized opposition parties on social media regarding the acceptance of state funding.

"They said: 'Let the people go on strike and not go to work; let businesses go on strike and not pay taxes; let factories close and stop producing goods.' They said all this, criticized others, and then themselves didn’t refuse the funding based on the falsified numbers fabricated by the Georgian Dream. That’s impressive," Gvaramia wrote.