After a lively debate at the House plenum, MPs on Thursday gave the thumbs-down to a government bill attempting to regulate the practice of Easter bonfires.

The vote went 28 against, with 10 in favour and two abstentions. In some cases, some MPs of the same party were opposed while others supported the bill.

MPs who voted against the bill called its provisions draconian, arguing that the restrictions were designed in such a way as to effectively prohibit the popular Easter holidays custom.

Had the bill passed and been enacted into law, it would have taken effect immediately.

The government will now have to go back to the drawing board, drafting new regulations for bonfires before Easter 2026.

The proposed legislation for bonfires – known as ‘lambradjies’ in Greek – provided for strict controls over permits to prepare and light bonfires, as well as severe penalties for violations.

Having gone through a series of amendments, the final text of the bill stipulated that only members of the local church parish could apply for a bonfire permit.

The applicant had to be at least 21 years old and have no criminal record. Permit applicants must also have been resident in the community for five consecutive years prior to the date of applying.

For communities with a population of 200 or less, the applicant should be registered on the community’s electoral roll.

The bill provided for stiff penalties – fines as well as jail time – for violators.

For example, participating in the preparation of a bonfire without a permit, or taking part in the lighting of a bonfire without a permit, would see the person liable to a prison sentence of up to five years and/or a fine up to €25,000.

In the event a bonfire – with a permit or not – caused a fire to spread in urban areas, the penalty would be a jail sentence of up to six years and/or a fine up to €30,000. Where the fire damaged private property, the penalty would be up to eight years in jail and/or a fine up to €50,000.

For fires caused in the countryside as a result of the lighting of a bonfire – with or without a permit – the bill provided for a sentence of up to ten years in prison and/or a fine not exceeding €75,000.

And in case of causing forest fires – regardless whether a bonfire had a permit or not – the penalties involved up to twelve years in jail and/or a fine up to €100,000.

In remarks on the House floor, Disy MP Nicos Tornaritis said regulating this Easter tradition is a necessity, as in the past it has led to accidents and injuries – in some cases fatal.

He recalled the case of a 22-year-old man who died after being crushed by an electricity pole he was hauling as firewood for a bonfire.