Georgia's opposition appeals against the Law "On Political Association of Citizens"

A number of Georgian opposition parties have addressed the Constitutional Court against the new rules of financing political actors in Georgia under the Law "On Political Association of Citizens". The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told about it by Nata Tsereteli, the head of the press service of the "Free Georgia".

"The law makes fair elections impossible; besides, the new rules of financing parties restrict such fundamental human rights as the freedom of speech and opinion," said the "Free Georgia".

On May 28, the lawsuit was filed by the "Free Georgia", "Democratic Movement – United Georgia", "Green Party" and "Social Democratic Party". According to Ms Tsereteli, now the Constitutional Court has from six to twelve months to decide whether they take the suit to consideration.

In particular, the oppositionists protest against the articles of the law, which assume donations to political parties through the licensed banks of Georgia: if donations are transferred in violation of the law, then the entire amount goes to the state budget. They are also dissatisfied with the limited amount of donations: within one year, a legal entity may donate no more than 30,000 laris (about 18,500 US dollars to a party), and an individual – no more than 60,000 laris (about 37,000 US dollars). Should the law be violated, both parties will be fined by the amounts, ten-fold of the sums transferred.