"Dream" is playing with narrow political interests and punishing the opposition - NGOs on Kobakhidze's threat

Irakli Kobakhidze's initiative to cut funding and cancel registration for parties that have refused mandates is undemocratic according to  the third sector.

"The Georgian Dream is discussing this initiative without the participation of the parties directly involved in the initiative. In this sense, it is sharply undemocratic. The aim of this initiative is not to refine any legislation, but to punish and threaten opposition parties because they are boycotting." - says Eka Tsimakuridze, head of the "Democracy Index Georgia"

NGOs perceive the bill initiated by Irakli Kobakhidze as a punishment and threat to the opposition.

"Georgian Dream is still in favor of narrow political interests, which implements some punitive measures against opposition parties. This is how we perceive the initiated draft laws, about which the representatives of the "Dream" speak." - Mari Kapanadze, director of Civil and Political Rights Program of the Georgian Democratic Initiative, says.

Recall that yesterday, on December 17, Irakli Kobakhidze made a statement according to which  the restrictions stipulated in the draft law will apply to parties that:

• State funding will be stopped or  be suspended for one year for the  party whose members suspend their  parliamentary mandates
• The same parties will not be able to enjoy free airtime for municipal and parliamentary elections.
• The amendment to the Rules of Procedure provides for the abolition of remuneration for those Members of Parliament who do not attend any of the plenary sessions during the month.

The non-governmental sector responded to Irakli Kobakhidze's threat against the opposition parties with a joint statement. The statement said that in the wake of the already severe political, economic and pandemic crisis, the announced repressions of the ruling team are aggravating the situation.