The European People’s Party (EPP) expressed concern over the latest legislative initiative of the Georgian Dream Party that strips the boycotting opposition parties of the state funding.

EPP said on Twitter that the legislative initiative of the ruling party of Georgia is directed against the biggest opposition party that is supported by one-third of the Georgian population.

“We urge Georgia to continue moving towards declared EU values, and instead of restricting the democratic right of the opposition to return to constructive dialogue, to find a compromise solution which would benefit all Georgian citizens,” the EPP twit reads.

Following the EPP statement, the ruling party responded that the decision to send the draft law on state funding to the Venice Commission is proof that the government is acting under the democratic principle.

Nikoloz Samkharadze, Chairman of the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee, said it would have been better for EPP to call on its associated member parties in Georgia to engage in the parliamentary work.

The Georgian parliament approved a bill that envisages suspending state funding for the opposition parties boycotting the new parliament on first reading today. They will not be able to use free media time during elections either.

We urge Georgia to continue moving towards declared EU values, and instead of restricting the democratic right of the opposition to return to constructive dialogue, to find a compromise solution which would benefit all Georgian citizens.

— EPP (@EPP) December 23, 2020