Georgian Parliament Speaker: Anti-Corruption Bureau will be abolished and its functions will be transferred to State Audit Office

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Monday said the Anti-Corruption Bureau would be abolished and its functions would be transferred to the State Audit Office.

In his remarks, Papuashvili noted that the Georgian Government’s goal was to strengthen the constitutional framework of the governance system and optimise state resources

“Fighting corruption is one of the Government’s top priorities. In recent times, a number of important steps have been taken in this direction. The process involves the Efficiency Department of the Government Administration, the State Audit Office, the Anti-Corruption Agency of the State Security Service, and the Prosecutor’s Office”, he said.

“Today, the Anti-Corruption Bureau is essentially tasked with collecting and monitoring the declarations of public officials, political parties, and non-governmental organizations. Following consultations with the Government, a shared vision was formed that this function fits better within the constitutional framework of public administration under the State Audit Office, as a higher and more independent constitutional body”, Papuashvili continued.

He emphasised that the Anti-Corruption Bureau would be abolished on March 2, 2026, and its functions would be fully transferred to the State Audit Office.

“Under the same model, the Personal Data Protection Service will also be abolished on March 2, 2026. Its functions will likewise be fully transferred to the State Audit Office, as an independent constitutional body. As an independent constitutional institution, the Audit Office enjoys a much higher degree of institutional independence, which is fully aligned with international standards”, he said.

Papuashvili further added that the third initiative in this block concerns the Business Ombudsman, who, within the new institutional framework, would be moved under the Ministry of Economy starting January 1, 2026, which would ensure more efficient responses to business needs and better coordination at the political level.

“Overall, these changes will align the governance system with the institutional framework established by the Constitution, optimize state resources, saving approximately ₾20 million ($7,409,034.00) annually - simplify structural functions, provide clearer responsibilities, and ensure more efficient management”, he concluded.