Georgia made no progress in the fight against corruption during the reporting period, while concerns persist over the independence and effectiveness of anti-corruption institutions, according to the European Commission’s 2026 Enlargement Report.
The report states that Georgia has some level of preparation in this area, but its anti-corruption legal and institutional framework remains insufficient. In particular, the country lacks an independent advisory institution, while further alignment with EU standards is needed on whistleblower protection.
The Commission also notes that Georgia has had no anti-corruption strategy or action plan since 2020, while targeted corruption risk assessments in vulnerable sectors have yet to be developed and implemented.
The report raises concerns over the abolition of the Anti-Corruption Bureau and the transfer of its preventive functions to the State Audit Office (SAO). According to the Commission, this was done without addressing recommendations from the Council of Europe's Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) and the Venice Commission regarding institutional independence and effectiveness.
Although monitoring of public officials' asset declarations increased significantly in 2025, and the number of corruption-related cases rose, the Commission warns of a potentially selective approach to enforcement.
It also highlights that longstanding recommendations on prosecutorial autonomy and judicial independence remain unaddressed.
The report further states that no steps have been taken towards de-oligarchisation, warning that entrenched oligarchic influence contributes to state capture and undermines democratic consolidation.
