Transparency International Georgia and the members of domestic opposition on Tuesday slammed the anti-corruption bill proposed by the ruling Georgian Dream party and claimed the legal piece contradicted one of nine conditions outlined by the European Commission last year for opening accession talks with Tbilisi.  

TI Georgia contended the proposed package represented a “regression” in Georgia's efforts towards EU integration and urged parliamentary committees to withhold support for it and, if necessary, refer it back to the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe for further evaluation.

It stressed the bill “falls short of meeting the requirements” outlined by the European and the Venice Commission, with several provisions within the package addressing issues that were not raised by either of them. 

"The legislative package, crafted in response to the anti-corruption mandates of the European Commission, fails to address crucial recommendations put forth by both the European Commission and the Venice Commission. Moreover, it introduces measures that undermine existing regulations and raise concerns regarding constitutional compliance”, the organization said. 

TI Georgia claimed the proposed legislation did not ensure the independence and political neutrality of the anti-corruption bureau, nor did it grant the bureau the authority to investigate high-level corruption cases.

“The adoption of the version put forward by the parliamentary majority would impede Georgia's European integration process, as it leaves key European Commission requirements unmet”, it said and added certain provisions within the proposed changes “deviate from recommendations” issued by the Venice Commission or the European Commission. 

It highlighted granting the authority to cancel the registration of a political party based on failure to submit financial declarations within two years to the head of the anti-corruption bureau contradicted the Georgian Constitution, “which reserves such powers solely for the Constitutional Court”.

“Allowing the bureau to withhold publication of or delay issuing a declaration for up to two months in case of errors represents a regression and restricts the transparency of financial declarations, contrary to international norms”, TI Georgia added. 

In December of last year, Georgia attained candidate country status for EU membership, contingent upon compliance with recommendations issued by the European Commission on November 8, 2023, across nine key areas, including the implementation of anti-corruption reforms.To advance to the negotiation stage of EU accession, the European Commission requires the Georgian government to undertake anti-corruption reforms aligned with the Venice Commission's conclusions.The Venice Commission identified shortcomings in the independence, accountability, and authority of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, noting its inability to effectively combat high-level corruption. 

In line with the European Commission's stipulations and the Venice Commission's recommendations, the Government of Georgia must ensure the independence and political neutrality of the anti-corruption bureau, with the bureau head appointed by the Parliament of Georgia or through a multi-party agreement, rather than by the Prime Minister. Additionally, the bureau should be accountable solely to Parliament, a provision absent from the proposed changes, the organization noted. “Delegating authority to investigate high-level corruption cases to the Anti-Corruption Bureau, an aspect neglected in the current legislative package”, TI Georgia said. 

Tina Bokuchava, an MP of the United National Movement opposition, claimed on Tuesday the introduction of the bill by the ruling power meant the party had “no intention” to meet the conditions for opening the accession talks with the bloc, highlighting the importance of an “institutional independence” of the agency.