Georgian PM claims parliamentary discussions showing opponents have “no arguments” against transparency bill

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Wednesday claimed parliamentary discussions earlier today had “proved” opponents of the controversial bill on the transparency of foreign influence had “no arguments” against it.

Speaking at press briefing at the Government Administration, Kobakhidze said the bill aimed to require organisations “carrying out the interests of a foreign power” to declare annually the money they receive and spend.

• Parliament approves first reading of controversial bill on transparency

The Prime Minister claimed the bill was a “reflection of European values of transparency and accountability”, as well as “Georgian values of state sovereignty”.

Last year they lied and this year they lied again [by saying] everything was already transparent, as if all the [funding] information was provided to state agencies by non-governmental organisations, which the parliamentary debates also proved to be an absolute lie”, he said.

Kobakhidze added data obtained from seven “wealthiest” NGOs showed about 18 percent of their finances were “not transparent or accessible” to Government agencies.

None of the funds were publicly disclosed. Additionally, many non-governmental organisations opt not to reveal their financial information”, he said.

• Ruling party official claims seven NGOs underreported recent funding

The Prime Minister also challenged the resistance to the organisations showing their funding and spending to the public and argued there was “no answer to this question” if they were “being honest”.

He noted transparency was “crucial”, and the bill set a “minimum standard” for transparency, while also adding “many EU member states” had laws with “much stricter standards”. 

The bill calls for 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.

The domestic opposition, NGO sector and some of Georgia’s international partner states and diplomatic representations in the country have criticised the legislative piece, which had been reintroduced by the ruling party following its retraction after public protests last year.