Major disagreements emerge in parliament over civil protection overhaul

Nicosia, Cyprus. Major disagreements emerged in parliament on Thursday during the opening discussion of legislation to overhaul and consolidate the civil protection and crisis management systems.

Unified national response

The proposed legislation would create a unified national structure for civil protection and crisis management, replacing fragmented agency operations with a centralised operations centre and a common strategic response plan.

The reform would cover man-made and natural disasters, including wildfires, floods and earthquakes, and address the full crisis cycle: prevention, early warning, deployment and the aftermath.

Presenting the legislation, interior ministry permanent secretary Elikkos Elia said the aim was to create “a permanent, statutory and comprehensive civil protection system that could be activated for every major crisis and for all the threats against the government”.

Ministry restructuring and operational command

The interior ministry would be renamed the Ministry of Interior and Civil Protection. A dedicated civil protection directorate and a permanent secretary position for civil protection would be established within the ministry.

A key element of the proposal is the creation of a National Civil Protection Mechanism and Coordinator. Reports indicated that the government had earmarked former National Guard chief Georgios Tzitzikostas for the Coordinator position.

The Coordinator would have exclusive authority over the deployment and positioning of crisis forces, regardless of their department. Elia said the Coordinator would hold overall operational command of forces deployed during a crisis.

Department transfers and scientific guidance

The fire department, currently under the justice ministry, would be transferred to the new structure.

A proposal to also transfer the forestry department has been temporarily shelved following opposition from staff. For the time being, it would remain under the agriculture ministry.

A permanent scientific council for civil protection would also be established to guide risk analysis.

“The objective is a national civil protection system that can better pre-empt, prepare on time, and mobilise available resources, reacting decisively whenever needed and effectively mitigating the consequences of a disaster,” Elia said.