Government defends advisory council amid semi-government board appointment criticism

Nicosia, Cyprus. The government defended the role of the advisory council on Saturday amid continuing criticism over appointments to semi-government organisation boards. Deputy government spokesman Yiannis Antoniou described the criticism of the body as “unfair”.

Government response

Antoniou said the council was created under a new system intended to improve transparency and merit in public appointments, while acknowledging that the system had “problems” and “weaknesses”.

Speaking on CyBC, he said the government was no longer operating under the previous system, under which appointments were based primarily on “the party origin of each person”.

“Criticism is unfair,” Antoniou said, arguing that the new process sought to allow people from across the political spectrum to serve.

Claims over appointments

His comments followed accusations by Akel that the advisory council had been bypassed in the appointment of members to semi-government boards. The party called for a public explanation of the process.

The matter has been registered with the House institutions committee following claims that some people appointed to boards had not submitted applications to the advisory council.

Committee chairman and Disy MP Demetris Demetriou said the issue concerned “the issue that arose at Cyta and the information regarding appointments of individuals without applying”.

Akel said that, if confirmed, such appointments would mean the council had been “completely annulled” and used as an “alibi” for predetermined appointments.

The party called on President Nikos Christodoulides and council members to explain how the appointments were made.

Cyta board member replaced

The controversy intensified after the government agreed to replace newly appointed Cyta board member Loizos Economides following concerns over a possible conflict of interest.