**Sharp Financial Disparities in Georgian Politics: A Growing Concern**
Transparency International (TI) Georgia, the country’s leading anti-corruption watchdog, has sounded a warning alarm on the state of party financing in Georgia. According to their latest report, the ruling Georgian Dream party received an astonishing GEL 6.6 million (USD 2.4 mln) in donations during the first half of this year, a staggering six times more than all other political parties combined.
This financial inequality raises legitimate concerns about the links between political donations and state-awarded contracts. The watchdog is worried that companies associated with large donors to Georgian Dream are unfairly benefiting from multi-million GEL tenders and budget subsidies. “The potential participation of large donors in systemic corruption continues to raise questions,” the report states.
**Disparities in State Funding**
TI Georgia’s findings highlight stark disparities in state funding for various companies linked to Georgian Dream donors. Since 2024, these companies have secured over GEL 144 million (USD 53 mln) in state tenders and up to GEL 1.5 million (USD 556,000) in simplified procurement contracts. Meanwhile, no company associated with opposition party donors has won a tender, while the total value of their simplified procurement contracts amounts to just GEL 185,447 (USD 69,000).
The report also reveals significant disparities in state subsidy distribution. Thirteen companies linked to Georgian Dream donors have received over GEL 27 million (USD 10 mln) in agricultural subsidies since 2024. In contrast, not a single company tied to opposition donors has been granted such support.
**Anomalous Growth from Adjara**
The TI Georgia report draws attention to an unprecedented spike in donations from the Adjara region following the resignation of Tornike Rizhvadze as Government Head. This surge began in April and peaked in June, with over GEL 2.5 million (USD 926,000) funneled to Georgian Dream from Adjara during this period.
The watchdog is concerned that this large amount of donations may have been made through third parties, which is a violation of the law. “Such a large amount of donations from the region in this timeframe raises suspicion,” the report highlights.
**Overlapping Finances**
TI Georgia also notes the financial overlap between Georgian Dream and its offshoot, People’s Power. All of the GEL 190,000 (USD 70,000) in donations received by People’s Power in 2025 came from individuals who had previously donated to Georgian Dream.
The report concludes that these findings demonstrate a sharp financial inequality in party financing in Georgia, raising concerns about systemic corruption and unfair state funding. As the country’s leading anti-corruption watchdog, TI Georgia urges greater transparency and accountability in political party financing.
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