“The issue behind de-oligarchization in any country is how to address undue influence by anyone in the political or the economic processes of a country, anyone who’s trying to influence the operation of government and society through excess money or influence,” US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan told media outlets on Wednesday.

Asked about de-oligarchization, Ambassador Degnan said, “it’s an issue that many countries grapple with, including my own.”

“There are different ways that countries address undue influence in the political sector, and I think each country needs to debate that and come up with its own solution,” she went on.

“I personally don’t think it’s always helpful to just borrow somebody else’s without tailoring it to the specifics of your country’s situation. There are many good examples out there that can be examined and crafted into something that is appropriate for Georgia, and the underlying problem, which is undue influence that affects the political will of the people. For instance, instead of having an election that reflects what the voters have voted, you have a distorted view because there’s been an undue influence on the process. What any law like this is meant to do is to try to ensure that there is transparency, accountability, and a level playing field so that the people’s voice is heard,” Ambassador Degnan noted.

Ambassador Degnan’s Remarks to media at Parliament https://t.co/51nEit4hiO

— U.S. Embassy Tbilisi (@usingeo) October 5, 2022