Nicosia, Cyprus. The House on Thursday night formally approved the composition of its selection committee and confirmed the appointment of new parliamentary secretaries and the administrative clerk. The plenary session lasted 13 minutes and was chaired by Diko MP Zacharias Koulias in the absence of House President Annita Demetriou.
Session and appointments
Annita Demetriou was absent because she is serving as acting head of state while President Nikos Christodoulides is abroad.
During the session, Disy MP Nikoleta Constantinou and Anastasia Hasikou of Akel were appointed as House secretaries, while Elam MP Marios Pelekanos was appointed dean.
The House also confirmed parliamentary representatives for the four largest parties. Disy will be represented by Demetris Demetriou, Akel by Giorgos Loukaides, Elam by Sotiris Ioannou and Diko by Panikos Leonidou.
Selection committee composition
The main focus of the session was the approval of the selection committee, which is responsible for determining the composition and leadership of parliamentary committees for the new legislative period.
The committee consists of three Disy MPs, Demetris Demetriou, Giorgos Karoulas and Savia Orphanides, and three Akel MPs, Stefanos Stefanou, Giorgos Loukaides and Aristos Damianou.
Diko is represented by Panikos Leonidou and Elam by Linos Papayiannis. House President Annita Demetriou also participates in an unofficial capacity.
Objection before the vote
The vote followed objections from Alma leader Odysseas Michaelides, who argued that his party was entitled to representation on the committee despite not meeting the parliamentary threshold traditionally applied in such appointments.
