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Presidency welcomes municipal reforms as ‘imperative necessity’ (update 2)

general view of the presidential palace in nicosia
File photo: Presidential Palace

The government on Friday welcomed the House of Representatives’ approval of local government reform legislation that will see the number of municipalities slimmed down to 20, calling it an “imperative necessity” for the country.

The majority view from political parties was also favourable, although there has been mixed reaction from some local government officials – ranging from disappointment to fury over the new landscape.

In a written statement, the presidency said the reform will constitute a legacy for the next generations.

It also hailed the spirit of cooperation in parliament which allowed, ten years after this marathon drive was first launched, for the decisive step to be taken.

“This is a development that will bring significant savings of money and other resources, but primarily will offer better quality services to the public. The new municipalities acquire administrative and financial autonomy, flexibility and increased responsibilities,” it said.

The three bills approved on Thursday were also one of the preconditions set by the EU for the disbursal of funds from its Recovery and Resilience Fund for the implementation of the Cyprus Tomorrow national plan.

The presidency called on the House to deal with other reforms pending before it in the same spirit of consensus, thereby facilitating modernisation of the state.

In a marathon session, the House on Thursday passed the much-delayed reform of local government, rearranging and consolidating the current 30 municipalities into 20. The new regime is due to come into force in 2024.

The session dragged on considerably, as MPs had to grapple with some 60 amendments.

The new arrangement will see Nicosia district with five municipalities; Limassol with four; Larnaca with five; Paphos with four; and Famagusta with two.

The Union of Cyprus Municipalities welcomed the vote as a new chapter for local government.

“This is the most important effort to modernise the model of administration since the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus,” it said, noting that consultations were based on the European Charter of Local Government, recommendations of the Council of Europe, and experts aiming at offering better quality service.

And it said that despite “individual weaknesses”, the new laws constitute significant steps in boosting municipalities, especially as regards their administrative and financial autonomy.

Nicosia mayor Constantinos Yiorkadjis also welcomed the approval, but voiced disappointment that despite a joint call with Strovolos Municipality, the latter was not incorporated into the new Nicosia Municipality.

He was echoed by his Strovolos counterpart Andreas Papacharalambous, who said he was convinced that a single metropolitan Nicosia municipality was essential.

“I find it difficult to understand why that more efficient solution was abandoned. Looking at decisions overall, I must say that the conclusion is that rather than the most correct solutions, some personal motivations or party interests prevailed,” he said.

Paphos Mayor Phedonas Phedonos was also highly critical, saying the reform did not serve the general interest.

“The political crimes that were orchestrated by five specific political figures as regards local government reform will accompany us for decades,” he said.

He did not elaborate on who he had in mind, saying only that the reform should have a single motivation – the good of the country and its people, but what had occurred did not serve the public good.

And in the Paphos, district disappointment boiled over into fury among Akamas community leaders who blasted the decision to split up the communities among different municipalities.

The five new municipalities for the Nicosia district are Nicosia (Ayios Dometios, Engomi and Aglandjia); Lakatamia (Lakatamia and Tseri plus Anthoupoli); Latsia-Geri; South Nicosia-Dali; and Strovolos, which stays intact in its present form.

For Limassol, the four new municipalities are: Limassol (Limassol and Mesa Yitonia); East Limassol; Polemidia; and Western Limassol.

For Larnaca district the new municipalities are: Larnaca; Aradippou; Dromolaxia-Meneou; Lefkara; and Athienou.

In Paphos district: Paphos; Eastern Paphos; Western Paphos; and Polis Chrysochous.

Finally, Famagusta district will have two municipalities: Ayia Napa (Ayia Napa-Sotira); and Paralimni-Dherynia.

 

 

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