Georgian PM, German Chancellor review controversial bill on transparency of foreign influence

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday reviewed the controversial Georgian bill on transparency of foreign influence, resubmitted by the parliamentary majority last week.

The controversial bill, retracted last year following the public protests, calls for the registration of non-commercial legal entities and media outlets in the country as “pursuing the interests of a foreign power” if they derive more than 20 percent of their funding from abroad.

In his remarks, Kobakhidze said the bill was “complying with all main principles”, adding the European Commission had recently supported “similar legislation” for the European Union.

The PM stressed he was “deeply convinced” that “transparency has no alternative in a democratic state” in comments on the draft law that saw criticism from a part of the domestic opposition, non-governmental sector and diplomatic representations in the country.

“The only thing that the bill envisages is the annual disclosure of finances by non-governmental organisations, and so far it has not been possible [for its opponents] to substantiate why the principle of transparency on the part of these non-governmental organisations should not be respected”, Kobakhidze said.

After I was appointed as the Prime Minister of Georgia, I decided that all decisions of the Government of Georgia should be made public, which is very important for the capacity of the Government of Georgia. In the conditions of these circumstances, we have the full right to demand from non-governmental organisations a minimum standard in terms of transparency”, he continued.

Kobakhidze further claimed NGOs “acting in the interest of foreign countries” were “taking certain steps”, and said the 2020 elections in the country had been followed by “two cases of attempts to change the Government not through parliamentary elections [and] democratic elections but through street rallies”.

“All processes in Georgia are transparent, we are open for discussion. Hans Kelsen [Austrian jurist, legal philosopher and political philosopher] once pointed out that a functioning democracy must be based on law. I learned this in Germany, and I am convinced that the said law on transparency will contribute to the formation of a strong and fundamental democracy”, he said.

The PM also expressed “readiness” to hold a discussion with “European, American or Georgian partners” over the bill but stressed the Government’s positions were “firm” on the matter.

In his turn, Scholz said his Government and the European Union had criticism of the bill and added “we hope that Georgia will not adopt the law”.