Date change for crucial House plenum state budget debate

MPs will debate the beleaguered state budget for 2021 on Thursday, January 21, instead of on Monday January 18 as originally planned, it was announced on Thursday.

The change follows a decision taken during a meeting of party leaders and representatives of parliamentary groups chaired by House president Adamos Adamou, on Thursday.

Reliable sources have told the Cyprus News Agency that the decision was taken to allow parliamentary parties enough time to draft any amendments and proposals they may wish to table on the revised budget. These will be initially discussed at a House finance committee on Friday.

The same sources said that Finance Minister Constantinos Petrides has agreed with the date change following a telephone call with Adamou.

During the House plenum debate which will take place on Thursday, January 21, at 4pm there will be interventions by one MP from each party.

The House of Representatives plenary rejected the state budget for 2021 on December 17 last year.