Transparency International outlines anti-corruption priorities for President Saakashvili

Transparency International Georgia congratulates Mikhail Saakashvili on the success of his presidential bid on an anti-corruption platform, and sets out recommendations for improving accountability and transparency in Georgia

"President-elect Mikhail Saakashvili has been swept to power by the people of Georgia expressing their dissatisfaction with the corruption of the old regime and their resolution in demanding system-wide reform," said Lana Ghvinjilia, Co-ordinator for Transparency International Georgia, speaking today. "The new administration should plan and take its first steps carefully and quickly in this battle," said Ghvinjilia upon the confirmation of Saakashvili's election victory. Transparency International (TI) is the leading international non-governmental organisation dedicated to fighting corruption worldwide.

"The future stability of Georgia urgently requires a commitment at the highest level to make the fight against corruption priority number one," said Miklos Marschall, TI International Secretariat Executive Director for Europe and Central Asia. "The collapse of the government of President Eduard Shevardnadze confirmed, as predicted by TI during protest marches in November 2001, that the crisis would not abate without a clean-up at the highest levels because corruption is the enemy of sustainable economic development and undermines democracy. TI welcomes the central place given to tackling corruption by President Mikhail Saakashvili during his election campaign."

"We look forward to the implementation of the initiatives that have been discussed at such great length in the past," said Lana Ghvinjilia, Co-ordinator for TI Georgia. "International organisations should give the new President their full support and assistance to strengthen the governance and democratic institutions of Georgia."

In a letter of congratulations to President-elect Saakashvili from TI's international Chairman, Peter Eigen, TI outlines the priorities for the first 200 days of the new presidency. TI looks forward to a restructured anti-corruption commission, with powers of investigation, that reports to parliament. TI urges the new administration to implement the National Anti-Corruption Programme, introduce strict conflict-of-interest legislation for all public officials, establish an office of Auditor General, and clarify staffing policies and increase salaries in the civil service. TI also calls for the introduction of open public tenders with a no-bribes agreement signed by all parties, including sub-contractors (the TI Integrity Pact in public contracting).

TI Georgia has worked intensively during the debate concerning parliamentary immunity from prosecution, and looks forward to continuing this discussion until a solution can be found that does not create dangerous incentives for aspiring members of parliament. Drawing on TI's international experience, TI Georgia is ready to participate in discussions on how Georgia can decentralise decision-making and create a structure of local self-governance that will empower the population to take responsibility and accountability for their own decisions. Finally, TI Georgia looks forward to implementing programmes to improve local oversight of the police as well as public involvement in the legislative process.

"The peaceful resolution exhibited by the people of Georgia during the Rose revolution has received international attention. Now the world is watching to see if that same resolve will be shown in the fight against corruption," said Lana Ghvinjilia today. "The prosperity, stability, and independence of Georgia depend on it," she continued. "We look forward to working with the new government to creating a Georgia where all compete equally, where no individuals or businesses face unnecessary barriers to their activities, and where the rights off all are equally protected."

Transparency International urges Mikhail Saakashvili, the President-elect of the Republic of Georgia, to take urgent steps, including the following, to address the problem of corruption in Georgia:

Within the first 100 days

• Restructure the anti-corruption commission with wide powers of investigation and with a board accountable to parliament.
• Assure the prompt and full implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Programme.
• Establish an office of Auditor-General.
• Clarify staffing policies and increase salaries in the civil service.

Within the first 200 days

• Seek solution to the issue of abuse of parliamentary immunity, removing the scope for politicians to place themselves above the law.
• Enforce strict conflict-of-interest legislation for all public officials.
• Put before Parliament stricter laws and regulations to prevent law-enforcement officials placing themselves above the law.
• Work towards a decentralised political structure, with increased degree of local self-governance.
• Strengthen local oversight of the police and raise public involvement in the legislative process.
• Make all public tenders open, with no-bribes agreement signed by all parties, including sub-contractors.

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