IDFI: PM's promise to raise mayors’, public servants' salaries affects election process
The IDFI says that the promise of Garibashvili to double the salaries of mayors, 'in conditions where the legislation does not restrict them from making such a decision independently, clearly points to the problems of decentralisation in self-governments'. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
Tweet 
Share
The Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) says that the recent statement made by Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili regarding the increase of mayors’, public servants' salaries starting 2022 'can be perceived as an attempt to have some influence on the election process'.
The IDFI says that the promise of Garibashvili to double the salaries of mayors, 'in conditions where the legislation does not restrict them from making such a decision independently, clearly points to the problems of decentralisation in self-governments'.
The IDFI explains that following the Law of Georgia on Remuneration in Public Institutions, the upper limit coefficient of official salaries of the mayors of the city municipalities is six (Tbilisi Mayor 8.5).
Taking into account the basic salary (1,000 GEL), the current legislation gives the mayors the opportunity to determine the salary with a maximum of 6,000 GEL upon their own submission and with the consent of the City Council. The mayor's salary in the municipalities varies from 2,600 GEL to 4,500 GEL (taxed amount of the salary varies from 2,080 GEL to 3,600 GEL). Consequently, none of the mayors of any municipality has used the opportunity allowed by law to determine their remuneration in the amount of 6,000 GEL", says the IDFI.
The IDFI says that the highest paid mayors, given the marginal amount, have the opportunity to increase their salary by about 30%, while the lowest paid mayors by about 130%.
Currently, the highest salary, which is 4,500 GEL (about $1,458/€1,243) is set for the mayors of Batumi, Rustavi and Gardabani municipalities, while the mayor of Tianeti municipality has the lowest salary of 2,600 GEL (about $842.79/€718.71).
The salary of the mayor of the capital city of Tbilisi amounts to 3,180 GEL (about $1030.79/€879.03).