The Finance and Budget Committee of Georgia has approved Giorgi Gabitashvili as the candidate for Auditor General, following his nomination under the latest personnel reshuffle by the ruling Georgian Dream party.
As part of these changes, former Auditor General Tsotne Kavlashvili has returned to his previous role as Deputy Auditor General at the Ministry of Finance. In his place, former Prosecutor General Giorgi Gabitashvili has been nominated to assume the top position at the State Audit Office.
During the committee hearing, Gabitashvili expressed gratitude to Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili for the nomination and outlined his vision for the role:
“I do not see this as a personal opportunity but as a vote of trust from each of you and the entire public. That trust demands maximum responsibility, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to public service,” said Gabitashvili.
“I would also like to extend my best wishes to Tsotne Kavlashvili, a highly qualified professional.”
Gabitashvili emphasized his nearly 20 years of public service, rising from the Prosecutor’s Office to the Office of the Prosecutor General. He expressed pride in his tenure and acknowledged the professionalism of his former colleagues.
Highlighting the importance of the position, Gabitashvili stated:
“The role of the Auditor General is not symbolic. It must function independently from executive or political influence. This position is a cornerstone of democratic accountability and financial discipline.
If approved, I will focus on institutional development and will uphold the core principles of the State Audit Office: objectivity, independence, transparency, and professionalism.”
Gabitashvili also noted that one of his strategic priorities would be to strengthen and deepen cooperation between Parliament and the State Audit Office.
