UNM calls for reduction of parking fines, accuses Georgian Dream of using penalties as revenue source

Vaso Urushadze, anti-corruption secretary of the opposition United National Movement, has called for a reduction in fines that he said are unrelated to road safety, singling out parking penalties as a particular concern.

Speaking at a briefing, Urushadze accused the ruling Georgian Dream party of using fines as a means of generating revenue rather than improving traffic safety.

"We have consistently demanded and continue to demand the reduction of fines that have nothing to do with road safety, particularly parking fines," Urushadze said.

He claimed that Georgian Dream had effectively imposed what he described as a financial burden on motorists through increasing penalties.

Urushadze also criticised the government's broader road safety record, alleging that thousands of people had died in traffic accidents during Georgian Dream's time in power.

According to the opposition politician, the government's approach has focused on increasing fines rather than addressing infrastructure and traffic management problems.

He specifically criticised Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze, claiming that around 1,100 parking fines are issued daily in the capital while insufficient attention is paid to improving transport infrastructure and road conditions.

Urushadze argued that the current system places an unnecessary financial burden on citizens and contributes to a decline in living standards.

"On the one hand, this creates risks to people's lives and health, and on the other, it makes everyday life more expensive for citizens," he said.

His comments came after Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said the government was considering the possibility of reducing certain traffic fines following a review of data that found no direct correlation between higher penalties and improved road safety statistics.