“I don’t think being an MP provides any privileges. These people [Georgian Dream MPs with business ties] were already wealthy when they entered parliament. They pay enormous sums into the state budget and help a great many people by creating jobs. They operate in accordance with the law defined for members of parliament,” First Vice-Speaker of Parliament Gia Volski told journalists, commenting on a study by Transparency International Georgia, according to which 41 Georgian Dream MPs have ties to businesses.

Volski said that no one has used, nor is using, a parliamentary mandate for personal business interests.

He added that anyone who violates the rules or breaks the law will be held accountable before the law.

“I don’t believe that being an MP grants any privilege. These individuals were wealthy when they entered parliament. They have made significant contributions to the districts and regions they represent. Even today, they serve as delegates, and if we look at the percentages, I don’t think winning tenders is their priority. There are businesses that operate honestly, and anyone will be accountable before the state. We have shown many such examples. Let us remember that these people pay enormous amounts into the budget and help many people by creating jobs and acting in line with the law defined for MPs.

If you have a specific example where one company should have won a tender but another did - one in which a member of parliament holds a stake - we can discuss that separately and assess whether the tender commission made the right decision. However, tenders are conducted electronically and the data exist. If there is any evidence that tender conditions were violated, we can examine that case specifically. But to generally say that businessmen are in parliament - God bless everyone. Simply put, no one has used a parliamentary mandate for their business, nor has anyone ever done so. Anyone who violates these rules and breaks the law, regardless of who they are, will be held accountable.

If these people work, pay huge sums into the state budget, and employ people, that is welcome. They have the right to be in parliament and to speak on behalf of the people. They were voted for and supported because they also do good work for their regions,” Volski said.

For reference, according to Transparency International Georgia, 41 members of parliament have ties to businesses.

Transparency International has published the results of a study on Georgian Dream MPs’ links to businesses, public procurement, and party donations.

According to the study, seven companies in which MPs hold shares have won 271 tenders, while 13 companies in which MPs hold shares have won 301 simplified procurement contracts. The organization reports that companies linked to Georgian Dream MPs received GEL 7,736,986 from the state through simplified procurement. In addition, companies in which current Georgian Dream MPs hold shares received GEL 465,900,569 after winning tenders.

Furthermore, Transparency International reports that current MPs have donated a total of GEL 2,738,586 since 2012. Of this amount, GEL 66,500 was donated to the United National Movement, GEL 39,000 to People’s Power, and GEL 2,633,086 to Georgian Dream and its presidential candidate, Salome Zurabishvili.