Georgian parliament toughens rules for financing parties

The Georgian parliament has adopted new rules for the financing of political parties in a final variant on Wednesday, Trend reports.

The main amendments made to the law "On political parties" include a ban on political parties financing by legal entities and business companies. In addition, political parties do not have right to get funds over 60,000 lari from every natural person per year.

Under operating legislation this amount of means made up 30,000 lari. Membership dues in parties should not exceed 1,200 lari per year.

The Supervisory chamber will participate in the monitoring of parties' financial activity. Special measures will be provided to increase the transparency of party financing.

Parliamentary opposition stated during discussion that new rules are directed to limit billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili's opportunities of financing party and opposition coalition which he intends to create.