The revised legislation governing the benefits of former Presidents of the Republic and former Speakers of Parliament is expected to be published in the Official Gazette this Friday, allowing it to enter into force. As laws do not apply retroactively, its provisions will apply only to those elected to the relevant offices after it comes into effect.
This means the first to be affected will be those elected in May to the presidency of the House of Representatives and, subsequently, the person elected President of the Republic in March 2028.
The 4+2
An exception applies in the event of the re‑election of Annita Demetriou or Nikos Christodoulides, who remain lifetime beneficiaries because they were elected to their posts before the law was passed and entered into force. Consequently, the remaining four former office‑holders – Nicos Anastasiades, Yiannakis Omirou, Marios Karoyian and Demetris Syllouris – are similarly unaffected and will continue to enjoy their benefits for life.
It should be noted that the basic law applies only to those who have served in these offices for more than 30 months. As such, Adamos Adamou – who served as Speaker for only seven months (23 October 2020 to 30 May 2021) – is not entitled to these benefits.
Ending lifetime limousines
The new legislation, passed last Thursday, stems from two private members’ bills submitted by the Speaker of Parliament, Annita Demetriou, and Volt MP Alexandra Attalidou. Before submitting her own proposal, Demetriou had already announced in January 2024 that she would renounce the lifetime use of a state limousine.
The first substantive amendment introduced by the revised legislation is the abolition of lifetime entitlement to a state limousine and full coverage of associated costs (fuel and maintenance). From now on, the provision of a state limousine will be limited to a five‑year period, beginning on the day a President of the Republic or Speaker of Parliament leaves office.
Lifetime entitlement to a secretary
The benefit of secretarial services will continue to be provided for life, on the condition that the services relate exclusively to the office from which the official has departed. A contract will be signed between the secretary and the former official and submitted to the Ministry of Finance. Under this contract, the relevant funds will be transferred monthly to the former official’s account for payment of the secretary’s salary.
Voluntary renunciation
The four existing beneficiaries – Nicos Anastasiades, Yiannakis Omirou, Marios Karoyian and Demetris Syllouris – are unaffected and will continue to enjoy the lifetime benefit of a state limousine with all expenses paid. Nevertheless, the option of voluntary renunciation remains open should they choose to exercise it.
Annita Demetriou had publicly addressed the matter two years ago, announcing her intention to table a bill abolishing lifetime limousine use and limiting the benefit to five years. At the same time, she declared her decision to forgo the lifetime entitlement. In a written statement on 24 January 2024, she said:
“I personally believe that these lifetime benefits should be abolished and all arrangements placed under a different, transparent and rational framework. This is a practice that has existed until today and which must be immediately and decisively revised.”
She then set out the following proposals:
• Abolition of the lifetime provision of a state vehicle at the end of a term, with a fixed termination point. “I personally renounce it.”
• Security measures for former officials should be approved only following a recommendation by the Police, with a review clause every five years.
• The secretarial allowance should be provided with full transparency regarding procedures and remuneration.
• The revised arrangements should apply to all former, current and future senior state officials.
Risk of unconstitutionality
Demetriou incorporated these proposals into a bill submitted to the House plenary. However, during examination by the House Institutions Committee, the representative of the Legal Service noted – citing relevant case law – that the proposed provisions must apply only prospectively, as retroactive application would negatively affect vested rights acquired when individuals were elected President of the Republic or Speaker of the House.
Had the House insisted on retroactivity, the law would almost certainly have been declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Constitutional Court, as occurred with the legislation on multiple pensions. Such an outcome would have meant retaining the lifetime benefits for all future Presidents and Speakers.
No legislation on security protection
Both Demetriou’s bill and that of Alexandra Attalidou included provisions for reassessing security needs for former Presidents and Speakers. Ultimately, MPs on the Institutions Committee decided not to include any clause on personal security in the final consolidated bill, accepting arguments from the Ministry of Justice and the Police.
Officials told the committee that the security needs of each former office holder differ and that decisions must be based on risk assessment. Therefore, they argued, security should be viewed not as a benefit but as a duty of the state authorities to provide necessary protection.