Opposition Slams New Tax Proposals

The New Rights, Traditionalists and Socialists parties, which are in the opposition to the country’s new leadership, denounced the government’s intention to introduce amendments to the tax code as “populist” and “bolshevism.”

“Cancellation of the tax on fuel would lead to increase of fuel price, thus it will cause increase of price on other products as well,” Davit Gamkrelidze, leader of the New Rights party, said at a news briefing today.

He also slammed the government’s intention to cancel tax on land.

The Traditionalists and Socialists parties also critisized the government’s another initiative to introduce new tax for rich citizens.

“Those with fashionable villas and cars will have to pay more taxes,” Zurab Zhvania, the State Minister explained on December 22.

“It is populism and bolshevism,” Akaki Asatiani, leader of the Traditionalist party, said at a news briefing, while commenting the authorities’ initiative.

One of the leaders of the Socialists party Zakaria Kutsnashvili also said at a news briefing today “it is bolshevism.”

The Finance Minister Zurab Noghaideli discussed the proposals at the Parliamentary Committee on Tax and Revenues today.

It is anticipated that the Parliamentary session will discuss the new tax proposals in coming days.