Cyprus Mail 19 April 2021 - by Elias Hazou
 |
| Minister Constantinos Petrides said that Monday's discussion at the committee was 'not productive' |
The House finance committee on Monday formally decided to take a bill on state-backed loans for businesses to the plenum for a vote later this week – literally on the eleventh hour before parliament dissolves ahead of the legislative elections.
Speaking after another tense parliamentary session, Finance Minister Constantinos Petrides said he hoped the government bill will pass on Thursday.
Better late than never, he added.
But the bill’s fate on the plenum floor will depend on what amendments opposition parties insert in the interim. Should they tinker with it too much, the government may be forced to withdraw it – for the second time.
Diko as well as main opposition Akel want the audit office represented on the committee that would supervise the granting of the state-guaranteed loans – something the government opposes.
Petrides said that Monday’s discussion at the committee was “not productive…as some chose to go for petty politics, friction and name-calling”.
Clearly taking a dig at Diko, Petrides added: “They are the same ones who did not vote for the state-backed loans scheme the first time, the same ones who vetoed the budgets – from which we have to date given €1.6 billion to support workers and businesses – and the same ones who try to scupper every government attempt at supporting people during the pandemic.”
