Tamaz Daushvili, founder of “Dio,” has raised concerns about a new legislative initiative that would criminalize “political activity” by entrepreneurs. Speaking to BMG, he argued that businesses should not be treated merely as taxpayers whose interests are ignored, and warned that the bill’s vague language threatens the ability of business owners to defend their interests or express opinions on public issues.
Daushvili emphasized that although business and active politics should remain separate, the draft law’s ambiguity creates serious risks. He noted that companies often need to engage in public advocacy - whether addressing problems with authorities or drawing attention to unfair treatment - and such actions could easily be interpreted as political activity under the new regulations. Even a paid Facebook post highlighting a business-related issue, he said, might fall within the bill’s scope.
Despite these concerns, Daushvili said he does not believe that a company could be shut down simply for a businessperson’s personal civic views, calling such a scenario unimaginable in a democratic country. He stressed that entrepreneurs also love their country and should not face threats for expressing their opinions.
Daushvili urged lawmakers to ensure that any new legislation aligns with European standards and undergoes expert review, such as by the Venice Commission. He called on the government to work closely with business associations before adopting the bill to prevent harm to entrepreneurs’ rights. The current amendments, already approved in a second reading by the Legal Affairs Committee, introduce harsher penalties, including imprisonment for individuals and liquidation or heavy fines for companies, while expanding the definition of “grants” to include a wide range of financial or material support that could influence domestic or foreign policy.
