Govt plans to ‘stifle’ Audit Office with looming reforms

The Audit Office on Thursday hit back against a government proposal seeking to reform the independent institution, amid accusations this would be a means to stifle the reports of the office.

Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis told the state broadcaster a bill to reform the Legal Service and Audit Office “was at its final stages”.

The Legal Service currently has a dual role – that of state prosecutor but also legal advisor. It has prompted the EU Commission to call for a separation of these powers in a series of annual Rule of Law reports.

“This is a radical legal and constitutional change,” Hartsiotis said.

“It is the most serious legal amendment in 65 years.”

As for changes to the Audit Office, Hartsiotis said it was part of an effort to modernise the service.

He declined to disclose details about what exactly the reforms would entail, stressing that they would add more safeguards in the decision-making process.

“The structure will not be particularly affected. It will just make it more effective.”

Hartsiotis questioned why there was always so much focus on reforming the Legal Service, but little to no mention of doing the same for the audit office.

To this, Audit Office spokesperson Marios Petrides said not a single EU or international body had called for any reform of the audit office.

He cited the 2024 Rule of Law report published a day earlier, where the EU Commission had identified the progress required for establishing the independence of the Legal Service.

No similar mention was made for the Audit Office.

Petrides added the bill had not been discussed with the audit office and described it as part of a government plan to appoint a council that would approve audit reports.