Prepared by Messenger Staff
Parliament Advances Bill Restricting Foreign Grants and Political Seminars
In a unanimous vote of 83 to 0, the Georgian Parliament has approved on first reading a legislative package introduced by the ruling Georgian Dream party that would significantly tighten restrictions on foreign involvement in the country's political sphere.
If enacted, the amendments will prohibit international organizations from organizing lectures, seminars, or any public events intended for political parties. Additionally, international donor organizations will be banned from issuing grants in Georgia without prior government approval.
The proposed changes span several laws, including the "Law on Political Associations of Citizens" and the "Law on Grants." Under the new framework, international entities would need explicit consent from the government or an authorized government appointee to issue grants within the country. Any violation would be punishable by a fine equal to twice the amount of the unauthorized grant.
Oversight of the new grant regulations would fall to the Anti-Corruption Bureau, which will monitor both the issuance and acceptance of foreign funds deemed prohibited under the law.
While the bill introduces sweeping restrictions, it includes certain exemptions: grants from international sports associations, federations, and committees will not be subject to government approval, nor will scholarships intended for secondary or higher education or scientific research abroad.
Gvaramia Slams Investigative Commission Appearance as 'Grave Mistake'
Nika Gvaramia, leader of the "Coalition for Change," called the criminal prosecution against him "neither the first nor the last," as he appeared before a magistrate judge for failing to attend a session of Parliament's temporary investigative commission.
Speaking to journalists outside the court, Gvaramia dismissed the commission as pointless. "What is the commission for? Nothing," he said, emphasizing that he views the opposition's decision to participate as a mistake.
"Yesterday made it clear that this is just a distraction, a propagandistic nonsense meant to get everyone talking," he said. "That's why I believe attending it was a mistake by the opposition. These actions also contain elements of betraying the national interest. The government is trying to shape a narrative that Georgia was guilty in the war, not Russia."
Gvaramia criticized Giorgi Gakharia, leader of the For Georgia party and former prime minister, for choosing to testify before the commission. He labeled the move a "grave mistake."
When asked if Gakharia's attendance violated the opposition cooperation framework initiated by 5th President Salome Zourabichvili, Gvaramia said, "Let Salome Zourabichvili evaluate that. She was the initiator of the agreement. But in my opinion, Mr. Gakharia's attendance was a serious misstep."
"This doesn't harm the broader struggle for Georgia's independence or regime change," he added. "If anyone's harmed by it, it's Mr. Gakharia."
