Democratic Rally (DISY) President Annita Demetriou has been re-elected President of the House of Representatives.
Demetriou secured 29 votes at the second round of voting in the plenary (17 votes from DISY, 8 from Democratic Party (DIKO) and 4 from Direct Democracy).
Her opponent, AKEL General Secretary Stefanos Stefanou received 19 votes (AKEL's 15 votes and Alma's 4 votes). ELAM MPs abstained in this round.
Earlier, in the first round of voting, Demetriou secured 21 votes (17 from DISY and 4 from Direct Democracy), while Stefanou received 19 votes, AKEL's 15 and the 4 votes from the MPs of the Alma-Citizens for Cyprus movement.
DIKO President Nikolas Papadopoulos, who received his party's 8 votes, and ELAM President Christos Christou, who also received the 8 votes from his party, did not qualify for the second round.
The session took place under the Chairmanship of the oldest MP, Zacharias Koulias. It began with the confirmation of the 56 MPs and representatives of the three religious groups.
Her re-election is the highest honour and responsibility, House President says
Her re-election is the highest honour and responsibility, said newly elected House President Annita Demetriou on Thursday in her speech before the plenary, thanking those who voted for her and calling for the continuation and strengthening of the role of Parliament in the coming years.
Demetriou said that there are crucial decisions and reforms before them, namely the reform of the pension system, the green and digital transition, economic resilience, justice, public administration, the reduction of bureaucracy and the strengthening of transparency and accountability.
She promised that she will make sure that every member of parliament has the right to be heard, to participate equally and to contribute substantially to parliamentary work. She also vowed to defend the institutions without discrimination.
Demetriou said that being the House of Representatives President is an institution that belongs to the Republic and the citizens and the position she will have will be firm, that is to say, respect for different opinions, strict adherence to the procedure, always with a sense of justice.
In her speech she spoke of the reforms of the previous tenure such as upgrading procedures, infrastructure and digital tools, strengthening transparency and participation, adding that the House was open to citizens, young people, students and the civil society.
She also said that they strengthened parliamentary diplomacy and upgraded the prestige of the country, keeping the Cyprus issue high on the agenda of international fora.
Demetriou went on to say that as parliamentarians they must reduce confrontations and strengthen the credibility and prestige of the institution. She noted that it is better to disagree in a healthy manner and with reasoned arguments, to confront each other with respect and to remember that behind every bill, every amendment and every decision there are people, families, businesses and communities.
The newly elected House President also said that they must deliver for the good of the country and its people and called on everyone to make a joint effort, to keep the prestige of Parliament high, to work with clarity, mutual respect and results.
Immediately after her election Demetriou received congratulations in her office. The only political party that did not visit her in her office was far right ELAM.
The next Plenary Session was set for June 11 at 4 pm with the appointment of a secretariat and deans and the election of the members of the Selection Committee.
Statements by political parties
The leaders or representatives of the parties congratulated the re-elected Speaker of the House, Annita Demetriou, saying that they look forward to a constructive and productive cooperation.
DISY parliamentary spokesperson Demetris Demetriou, said that her party will obviously be a pillar in her tenure. He said that consultation and cooperation is needed with other political parties.
AKEL Secretary General Stefanos Stefanou said that his party will continue to serve society in a responsible manner, as the main opposition force.
The President of ELAM Christos Christou said that his party is in Parliament in order to work for society's problems and will continue to do so putting forward what they preached before the elections.
DIKO President Nicholas Papadopoulos said that they will fully cooperate with her in a constructive manner.
ALMA Head Odysseas Michaelides said that his party is in the opposition and will be as productive as possible.
Direct Democracy Parliamentarian Demetris Souglis stated that no one has a blank check and that all parties should commit to working for the benefit of citizens.
Demetriou thanked everyone for their support and for the warm congratulations and expressed confidence that everyone will cooperate as required.
(Source: CNA)
