Cyprus’s Anastasiades fails to get 2021 Budget approved

·

For the first time in 60 years, Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades has failed to secure approval for his government’s 2021 budget.

A total of 29 lawmakers voted against the budget and 24 in favour, said Parliament Speaker Adamos Adamou. Anastasiades’s ruling center-right Disy party lacks a majority in parliament.

Shortly after the Parliament voted against the Budget, President Anastasiadis issued a written statement.

“I fully understand and respect the positions of the parties, which, either as a result of a different economic view, or individual views on policy areas, have taken a negative stance in approving the state budget,” Anastasiadis wrote.

© AFP 2020 / Petros Karadjias / POOL

“But what I do not understand is the negative vote of the Democratic Party, which is trying to blackmail the legally elected government and neutralize other independent institutions.”

“The current behaviour of the Democratic Party does not serve the presumed goal, nor the well-understood interests of our society, which under the unprecedented conditions we are experiencing today, has the absolute need to support the State.”

Cyprus ended its so-called golden passport program on Nov. 1, citing longstanding weaknesses and abuses.

The Cypriot parliament’s speaker Demetris Syllouris resigned in October, after an Al Jazeera report caught him on video offering to help a fictitious Chinese businessman with a criminal record attain citizenship. Jho Low, a Malaysian linked to the multi-billion-dollar 1MDB scandal, was among the beneficiaries of the program offering citizenship to foreign investors.

Opposition lawmakers had demanded that the state auditor office investigate all cases where Cyprus passports were issued under the program. The government declined to do so on advice from the country’s attorney general, who has already appointed a committee to examine the program.

Lawmakers approved stopgap legislation after the budget vote so that the government can make payments in January 2021 to avoid a shut down. Anastasiades’ administration can also resubmit the budget with changes for another vote at a later date.

Sourced By: Bloomberg/The Greek Herald

greek film festival melbourne

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Monash Mayor Paul Klisaris slams voluntary gambling trial as ‘missed opportunity’

City of Monash Mayor Paul Klisaris criticised the Victorian government’s gambling reform trial for failing to include mandatory loss limits.

Greece and Australia among world’s most powerful passports as US drops out of top 10

Greece and Australia have both secured top spots in the latest Henley Passport Index, which ranks global passports.

IMF projects steady debt decline and budget surpluses for Greece through 2030

Greece is on track to maintain primary budget surpluses and continue reducing its public debt through the end of the decade.

Hamas hands over two more hostage bodies as Israel presses for full return

The Red Cross has received the bodies of two additional hostages from Hamas, bringing the total number of remains returned to nine out of 28.

Sydney shines as Greek Film Festival celebrates 30 years of cinema and culture

The 30th Greek Film Festival of Sydney opened in spectacular fashion on Tuesday night with Kapetan Mihalis.

You May Also Like

Tsitsipas into Beijing Second Round after beating Dusan Lajovic

Stefanos Tsitsipas battled back from a 0-2 deficit in the third set to beat Dusan Lajovic, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in two hours. Lajovic was crowned...

Bail bid for Bourke St killer’s brother Angelo Gargasoulas delayed

The bail application for Angelo Gargasoulas, the younger brother of Bourke St killer, has been delayed after his lawyer took up another case.

New Board elected for Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia

The Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia (GOCSA) has elected a new Board of Directors for 2021 - 2022.