Cyprus Mail
Cyprus

House rejects referral of law regulating photography profession

The House on Thursday rejected the referral back to it of a law it had passed in December regulating the profession of photographers.

President Nicos Anastasiades had refused to sign off on the law and sent it back to parliament, arguing that certain of its provisions were unconstitutional.

In Thursday’s vote, a majority of MPs rejected the president’s referral – meaning the law will now go back to the president for a second time. The president will either relent and sign it, or – as is usually the case – refer it to the supreme court.

The law had originated as a legislative proposal. It provided for the creation of a council overseeing the registration of photographers. As the council would need to be financed by the state, the president argued this violated the constitution, which prohibits legislators from enacting bills that result in an increase in government expenditure.

Most of the MPs considered these arguments flimsy.

The bill was initially drafted back in 2012. It was resurrected years later, after the case of a self-confessed serial killer – an army officer who worked as a professional photographer on the side.

Among others, it aims to regulate the photographic profession through specific criteria and qualification requirements, while a license will also need to be obtained.

Also on Thursday the House approved the 2021 budget of the Central Agency for the Equal Distribution of Burdens, the agency tasked with providing assistance to refugees.

Follow the Cyprus Mail on Google News

Related Posts

Helios crash orphans denied further compensation

Andria Kades

Guards and cameras to protect schools over Easter

Tom Cleaver

Financial mismanagement at defence ministry – report

Nikolaos Prakas

Call for money-laundering clampdown in north

Andria Kades

Cyprus-Estonia business forum boosts bilateral ties

Kyriacos Nicolaou

Yeroskipou protests against planned new amphitheatre stage

Tom Cleaver