Bill to render Statistical Service independent sent to Greek Parliament

 

Athens, 4 February 2010

 

The Minister of Finance, George Papaconstantinou, sent today to Parliament a bill rendering the statistical service independent. The draft legislation entitled "Hellenic Statistical System. Establishment of the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTA) as an Independent Authority - Legal Entity under Public Law" represents a major step to restore the credibility of Greek statistical data and fiscal accounts.

 

Under the proposed legislation, the statistical authority of the country becomes institutionally and operationally independent. It creates a coherent framework of rules and institutions around the National Statistical System for the first time, and fully applies EU regulations on the Code of statistical practice, thereby integrating the Hellenic Statistical System into the European Statistical System.

 

The new independent Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTA) will come under the auspices of the Hellenic Parliament. Its head, the Chief Statistical, will be selected following an open international call by a 4/5 majority in Parliament. The Board of Directors will also be appointed by enhanced majority in Parliament, and will be composed by independent high-calibre professionals, with the Ministry of Finance proposing only one Member. The work of ELSTA will be supported by the creation of a Statistics Council, which will be composed of representatives of professional associations and social partners, and will include as member a representative of Eurostat or of a Statistics Agency of another EU member country.

 

This Bill is another major step that meets the requirements of the Greek citizens, and all the economic, scientific and social authorities for data and statistics which are reliable, transparent and free of any political interference. It is a measure which proves the consistency and determination of the Government in implementing the Stability and Growth Programme.