Nicosia, Cyprus. MPs expressed differing views on Wednesday during the House institutions committee’s initial examination of a government bill seeking to exempt the president and members of the advisory council from submitting asset declarations.
The proposal concerns the body that recommends appointments to semi-governmental organisations, with government officials arguing that its role is advisory and does not involve executive authority.
Party positions
Diko and Elam backed the amendment, while Akel opposed it.
Alma and Direct Democracy expressed reservations and said they needed further clarification before taking a final position.
Previous parliamentary rejection
Committee chairman and Disy MP Demetris Demetriou said a similar proposal had previously been rejected by parliament in 2025 after members of the advisory council raised concerns about being included in the disclosure regime.
Government and institutional arguments
Justice ministry spokesperson Phaedra Grigoriou told MPs that the law was intended to apply to public officials and politically exposed persons who exercise authority and decision-making powers.
She said the advisory council’s role is consultative rather than executive.
“The character of the council is advisory and not decisive,” she said, adding that the government believes its members should not fall within the provisions of the law.
Similar arguments were presented by the legal service, the tax department and the deputy ministry to the president, which described the amendment as an application of the “principle of proportionality” and said accountability mechanisms would remain in place.
Arguments in support of the amendment
Supporters of the amendment said members of the council do not exercise executive authority or make final appointments and therefore should not be subject to the same disclosure obligations as public office holders with decision-making powers.
