After the parliamentary elections of October 26, 2024, Georgian Dream has adopted a number of repressive laws directed against fundamental human rights. In addition, a number of legislative amendments/initiatives developed recently put state agencies and their representatives in an advantageous position.

Recent developments (October 26 parliamentary elections, disproportionate force used during protests, intimidation/physical violence against peaceful citizens, illegal detentions, biased trials and the inaction of the Special Investigation Service) have made it particularly clear that there is no independent agency in the country (including those agencies that should function independently of any influence according to the law). The initiatives developed recently represent the distribution of resources on the basis of political motives, which further strengthens partisan influence on various state agencies.

Below are discussed the initiatives developed by Georgian Dream, which aim to gain political loyalty from institutionally independent bodies and their representatives. These initiatives place them in a privileged position by enjoying economic benefits and/or other types of advantages, which clearly represents an attempt to influence the activities of legally independent agencies and weaken their political neutrality.

Special Investigation Service

On December 31, 2024, by Irakli Kobakhidze’s decree, state protection was appointed for the Head of the Special Investigation Service, Karlo Katsitadze.

The Law of Georgia on the Special State Protection Service defines the list of persons who have the right to enjoy state protection. However, Karlo Katsitadze and Giorgi Kalandarishvili were granted protection as an exception. 

Constitutional Court

By Irakli Kobakhidze’s decision, state protection was also appointed for the former Chairman of the Constitutional Court - Merab Turava. According to the decree, Merab Turava's protection was appointed until April 1, 2026, "until there is a need for it." According to the Law of Georgia on the Special State Protection Service, the Chairman of the Constitutional Court is among the persons protected by the Special State Protection Service.

Central Election Commission (CEC)

Three days before the elections, by Irakli Kobakhidze’s decision, the Central Election Commission, the Government Administration and the Patriarchate were added to the list of strategic facilities, among others.

Public Broadcaster

On October 31, 2024, by decision No. 586 of the Board of Trustees of the Public Broadcaster, the salary of the Director General was set at GEL 16,250 from January 1, 2025. As for the budget of the Public Broadcaster, it will be GEL 101 million, like in 2024.

Parliament of Georgia

On the initiative of Georgian Dream, the salaries of Members of Parliament increased from January 1, 2025 and were determined as follows:

The salary of the Speaker of the Parliament increased from GEL 6,740 to GEL 14,600, the First Deputy Speaker of the Parliament - from GEL 6,400 to GEL 13,432, and the Deputy Speaker - from GEL 6,340 to GEL 13,140. 

Irrational spending of the state budget to strengthen partisan interests