A meeting held on Wednesday in Limassol has sparked calls for legislative clarity from deputy mayors across Cyprus. Following their initial gathering earlier this week, approximately 50 deputy mayors have come together again to reinforce their demand for clear legal frameworks that properly define their roles in the wake of local government reforms.

The deputy mayors, representing a significant portion of the 93 currently in office across the island, have become increasingly vocal about what they see as confusion and mismanagement stemming from the recent restructuring of local government. After months of growing frustration, they are now rallying to ensure that their responsibilities are outlined more clearly in legislation.

At the forefront of the movement is Christos Papamichael, the deputy mayor of Yermasoyia, who spoke again after the meeting. Reflecting on the past nine months, he highlighted the challenges deputy mayors have faced since the reform was introduced.

“We have shown patience, but the situation has become untenable,” he stated. “Today, we reaffirm our stance and the need for a clear, legally defined role. The ambiguity in the current legislation has only made matters worse, and now we must ensure our voices are heard at the highest levels.”

Papamichael also revealed that the group is moving ahead with plans to form a coordinating body, which will represent all deputy mayors and coordinate their efforts to push for legislative change.

“We aim to have a unified front,” he said.
“Our next steps include reaching out to the internal affairs committee, political parties, and the ministry of the interior to make sure our concerns are properly addressed.”

In the aftermath of their discussions, the deputy mayors are expected to release a formal statement outlining their specific demands and the proposed changes they wish to see in the legislative framework. Papamichael made it clear that the group’s objective is to have concrete legislative action taken swiftly.

“We want to be part of the solution, not sidelined or ignored,” he added.
“The challenges faced by deputy mayors are not of our making, but we are committed to finding a resolution that benefits all municipalities and ensures proper governance.”

While the meeting was a step forward, many deputy mayors still feel their role is being undermined by the lack of legislative precision, with some claiming that their opinions are not being considered in key decisions. Papamichael acknowledged that deputy mayors across the island continue to feel “humiliated” by the way their roles have been handled.

The next critical step will be the planned meetings with lawmakers, where deputy mayors hope to address these concerns directly and press for the changes they believe are necessary for effective local governance.

As the push for clearer legislation continues, the outcome of these discussions could have far-reaching implications for the future of local governance in Cyprus. Deputy mayors across the country remain determined to ensure their roles are fully recognised and effectively integrated into the framework of municipal leadership.