“It defies all logic when not only our opponents, but also international partners come out and declare that the country should be governed through non-governmental organizations and that the groups developing these extremist processes in Georgia should be funded,” said Gia Volski, First Vice Speaker of Parliament, while speaking to journalists about the planned amendments to the Law on Grants.

According to him, in this regard, “an unimaginable statement was made even by the EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos.”

“If the government demands that Georgian society know what funds are coming in and what projects they are spent on, then the solution is not to talk about transparency and make the amounts of funding and projects transparent, but rather to find another way for these resources to enter Georgia - resources that are intended to develop revolutionary processes. In this context, even the EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, made an unimaginable statement. Instead of cooperating, fulfilling an elementary requirement, and taking a logical step to ensure that cooperation through financial resources is transparent, she says directly that she will bring in that money and find ways to circumvent the law. Isn’t that black money? Especially when this black money serves to destabilize Georgia. Of course, in this case, a law must be adopted,” Volski stated.

Responding to a question about provisions in the planned amendments concerning holding political office, Volski noted that this concerns individuals who not only worked in non-governmental organizations, but were actively involved in processes “aimed at harming the country and creating serious problems through externally sourced funding, rather than through resources entrusted to them by voters, supporting structures, or segments of society.”

“They brought in money to confront the country and stage a revolution. No one can convince us that after such activities their position will change. If there is anything disputable, there is Parliament for that - discussions in committees, working groups, and plenary sessions - and we must observe how the debate develops,” Volski added.

For reference:“Georgian Dream” plans to implement a number of legislative changes. Amendments will be made to the Law on Grants. Specifically, the definition of a grant will be уточened, establishing that a grant includes any funds - monetary or in-kind - transferred by any person to any other person, which are intended or may be intended, with the belief or intent of influencing the Georgian authorities, state institutions, or any part of society, to carry out or plan activities aimed at shaping, implementing, or changing Georgia’s domestic or foreign policy. This also includes funds intended or potentially intended for activities stemming from the political or public interests, approaches, or relations of a foreign government or foreign political party. Receipt of such a grant will be permitted only with the prior approval of the Government of Georgia.

Violations of the rules established by the Law on Grants, under planned amendments to the Criminal Code, will result in a fine, community service of 300 to 500 hours, or imprisonment for up to 6 years.

Criminal liability will also be imposed on a senior official of a political party who accepts foreign funding, with the same penalties applied. External lobbying will also become a criminal offense.

Additionally, amendments are planned to the Organic Law on Citizens’ Political Associations. A person employed under a labor contract by an organization whose annual income consists of more than 20% foreign funding will be prohibited from party membership for 8 years.

Furthermore, legislative changes are planned regarding entrepreneurial entities and public political activity: an entrepreneurial entity engaging in public political activity unrelated to its core business activity will be fined 20,000 GEL, and 40,000 GEL for repeated and subsequent violations.