The EU's 2026 Enlargement Report has raised concerns over changes to the appointment procedure for the head of Georgia's National Statistics Office (Geostat), stressing the need to protect professional independence.
“The principle of professional independence enshrined in the European Statistics Code of Practice must be ensured,” the report states.
The report notes that amendments adopted in March 2026 abolished the two-term limit for Geostat's Executive Director and transferred the authority to appoint and dismiss the director, following an open competition, to the Prime Minister. The director remains accountable to Parliament and the Government.
Previously, the Prime Minister appointed the Geostat director and Board members with Parliament's consent.
Following the amendments, Gogita Todradze, who has headed Geostat since May 2018, was appointed for a third term. His previous four-year term was due to expire in May 2026.
