Opposition figure Gotsiridze accuses Georgia’s Statistics Office of serving Gov’t political interests

Opposition politician Roman Gotsiridze has accused the National Statistics Office of Georgia and its head of acting in the political interests of the ruling Georgian Dream Government, alleging manipulation of key economic data.

Gotsiridze claimed that a legislative amendment currently under consideration in Parliament is tailored to the current head of the Statistics Office and would allow the post to be held indefinitely. Under existing rules, the same person could serve as head of the agency for two four-year terms. According to Gotsiridze, the incumbent’s eight-year term is now coming to an end.

“Parliament is adopting a special law tailored to this individual, under which it will be possible to appoint someone to this position for an unlimited term,” Gotsiridze said. He questioned the motive behind the proposed change, suggesting it was aimed at portraying the Government’s anti-inflation campaign as successful.

“They will say prices have fallen,” he stated, alleging that the Statistics Office’s leadership falsifies data by inflating gross domestic product figures and lowering reported inflation rates, as well as manipulating statistics in other areas.

Gotsiridze further argued that replacing the current head would require time to “train” a new loyal figure and questioned whether a successor would be as reliable for the ruling party. “This man has served the party loyally for eight years. He has earned a personal law,” he said.