The attorney-general’s office is “handling” the question of the requisite parliamentary quorum for constitutional reform to be enacted, attorney-general George Savvides said on Friday.
The question had arisen after a vote was held on Thursday over an amendment put forward by Akel MP Aristos Damianou enshrining the right to “a safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment” into Cyprus’ constitution.
The law requires that two thirds of Cyprus’ 56 MPs vote in favour of a proposed constitutional amendment for it to pass, with two thirds of 56 being exactly 37.3 and the common interpretation of the law taking that to mean more than 37, thus a minimum of 38.
However, parliament permanent secretary Tasoula Ieronymidou then informed MPs that there exists precedent for constitutional amendments to have passed with fewer than 38 MPs voting in favour.
House president Annita Demetriou then allowed a vote to take place, with 37 MPs voting for the amendment and none voting against.
On Friday, Savvides said his office will look into the matter, saying he will “be called on to interpret” a specific article.
Asked about the matter of apparent existing precedent, he said, “if something went wrong in the past, it should not continue”.
“We will interpret what the constitution says,” he said, adding that the legal service will respond “within the timeframe provided for by the constitution”, which allows him a maximum of 30 days.
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