October 6, 2016 - Transparency International Georgia presents a new report assessing the state of play of political party finances in Georgia. The reporting period is January 1 - September 1, 2016. The report makes a special emphasis on donations of political parties.

• In the reporting period Georgian political parties attracted donations amounted to GEL 16,150,855. GEL 14,829,755 was donated by 1,109 private persons and GEL 1,321,100 - by 24 legal entities;

• The Georgian Dream (GD) - the ruling party - received GEL 10,286,735 that is 64% of total donations. The second was the State for People - Paata Burchuladze’s party that received GEL 2,289,122. The Alliance of Patriots took the third place with GEL 1,151,797, the United National Movement (UNM) was the fourth largest receiver of donations with GEL 651,662, and fifth place was taken by Girchi with GEL 601,717;

• 15 legal entities out of 24 donated to GD. Six business companies were the largest donors of ruling party contributing with maximum amounts (GEL 120,000) allowed by Georgian legislation. These companies are: i) LTD GMP; ii) LTD Miso Lider Credit; iii) LTD Kakhetian Traditional Winery; iv) LTD Alfa; v) LTD New Georgia; and vi) LTD Gagra+;

• In 2016 LTD Kakhetian Traditional Winery and LTD Coca-Cola Bottlers Georgia were two donors of GD that received direct state procurement contracts of GEL 255,000;

• As for individual donors, 180 natural persons out of 1,109 to certain extent were connected with 717 business companies. 62 persons out of mentioned 180 were affiliated to companies that received at least one direct state procurement contract in 2016. 34 individuals out of 62 were donors of GD contributing GEL 900,400 in total to the budget of ruling party. In exchange to financial support 31 companies being affiliated with the mentioned 34 individuals were awarded with direct state contracts of GEL 1,601,598;

The following persons worth mentioning in this regard:

• Giorgi Jabidze - He donated GEL 55,000 to GD and his company Fundashen received direct state procurement contracts of GEL 380,000;

• Ivane Nikolaishvili - He donated GEL 40,000 to GD and his company Foodservice received direct state procurement contracts of GEL 130,000;

• Giorgi Robakidze - He donated GEL 22,000 to GD and his company CaucasusAutoHighway received direct state procurement contracts of GEL 220,000;

• Ioseb Bregvadze - He donated GEL 10,000 to GD and his company O. Ghudushauri National Medical Center received direct state procurement contracts of GEL 390,000.

In the reporting period 38 civil servants and their family members donated more than GEL 5,000 to various parties. Among them 9 civil servants attracted our attention since they donated significant parts of their declared annual incomes.  

• Zaza Papuashvili (MP) - He donated 57% (GEL 45,000) of his declared annual income to GD. In addition to that, Papuashvili spent USD 19,819 in serving three bank loans;   

• Shota Khabareli (MP) - He donated 52% (GEL 30,000) of his declared annual income to GD. In addition to that, Khabareli had USD 50,000 bank loan and spent USD 8,400 in serving this loan;

• Irakli Sesiashvili (MP) - He donated 30% (GEL 20,000) of his declared annual income to GD;

• Giorgi Khachidze (MP) - He donated 24% (GEL 14,398) of his declared annual income to Girchi. In addition to that, Khachidze had USD 50,000 mortgage loan and spent USD 7,000 and GEL 4,000 in serving this loan and real estate rent;

• Gizo Mchedlidze (Former member of CEC) - He donated 46% (GEL 60,000) of his declared annual income to State for People;

• Gogi Meshveliani (Governor of Bolnisi Municipality) - He donated 28% (GEL 20,000) of his declared annual income to GD. In addition to that, Meshveliani had USD 15,000 and GEL 4,600 bank loans;

• Giorgi Kopadze (Former Mayor of Akhaltsikhe) - He donated 14% (GEL 10,000) of his declared annual income to GD. In addition to that, Kopadze had GEL 48,400 bank loan;

• Nika Dvali (Director General of LTD Georgian Melioration) - He donated 26% (GEL 15,000) of his declared annual income to GD;

• Iuri Nozadze (Deputy Minister of Agriculture) - He donated 26% (GEL 20,000) of his declared annual income to GD. In addition to that, Nozadze had GEL 72,000 bank loan.

Contact Person: Nana Lobjanidze 595 21 03 09, nana@transparency.ge [1]

The report is made possible by the generous support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of TI Georgia and do not necessarily reflect the views of the USAID or the United States Government.