Transparency International: Georgian Dream Figures Acquiring EU Assets as Georgia Risks Visa-Free Travel
By Liza Mchedlidze
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
As Georgia faces the potential loss of its visa-free travel agreement with the European Union due to growing authoritarianism, members of the ruling Georgian Dream party and their associates are quietly expanding their personal and financial ties to Europe, according to a new report from Transparency International Georgia.
The watchdog organization claims that current and former party officials, as well as business figures close to Georgian Dream, are purchasing real estate, setting up companies, and securing EU citizenship for their children in multiple EU member states.
"While Georgia is on the verge of losing visa liberalization with the European Union due to the authoritarian policies of the Georgian Dream, current and former members and officials of the party themselves are buying real estate in Europe, establishing companies, and obtaining EU citizenship for their children," the report stated.
Transparency International says it identified 17 such individuals using publicly available sources. Properties and businesses linked to these figures have been found in at least ten EU countries, including France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Greece, and Denmark. The organization notes that this list likely represents only a small portion of the total assets held abroad, as it is limited to what can be traced through open data.
Among those named are Georgian Dream honorary chairman Bidzina Ivanishvili, Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze, MP Anton Obolashvili, Communications Commission Chair Kakhi Bekauri, and several ambassadors, diplomats, and government officials past and present.
