President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides expressed concern on Wednesday about the composition of the next Parliament, stressing that responsibility ultimately lies with voters ahead of the upcoming legislative elections. He also criticised the current House of Representatives for approving a large number of bills during its final plenary session.
Speaking at a roundtable discussion with business leaders during the 16th Nicosia Economic Congress in Nicosia, Christodoulides said he was worried about the direction of the next Parliament but emphasised that citizens play a decisive role in shaping it.
Concerns over the next parliament
Christodoulides noted that simply expressing concern is not sufficient, highlighting the importance of voter participation in determining the future political landscape.
“I am concerned about the next Parliament, but the next Parliament is the responsibility of all of us. It is one thing to say we are worried and another to act so that we do not reach a difficult situation,” he said.
Criticism of last-minute legislation
The President also criticised the practice of approving a large number of legislative proposals at the final plenary session before elections. He said the situation creates serious institutional challenges, particularly when the executive must review the constitutionality of these measures.
“It cannot be that in the last session of the House one hundred pieces of legislation are passed with the reasoning that we should approve everything before the elections,” he said.
Christodoulides added that numerous laws had reached his office for review, requiring assessment as to whether they are constitutional before deciding whether to sign them or return them to Parliament.
“It is not a sign of seriousness, I regret to say, to pass one hundred legislative acts at the last moment. What message are we sending as a country?” he said, referring in particular to the large number of proposals submitted on the issue of foreclosures.
Claims of shifting responsibility
The President further suggested that some legislative proposals may be deliberately adopted despite concerns about their constitutionality in order to shift political responsibility to the executive branch.
“Sometimes I feel that proposals are being passed even though it is known they are unconstitutional, simply so that they come to me to send them to the court and I carry the responsibility,” he said.
He added that while he would not hesitate to refer unconstitutional legislation to the courts, such practices undermine the legislative process.
Call for voter participation
Christodoulides concluded by stressing that citizens share responsibility for the political direction of the country through their participation in elections.
“We have a responsibility, you, me, everyone who votes in elections. That is why we must vote, because it concerns the future of our country,” he said.
Source: CNA