Cyprus Mail 27 July 2021 - by Elias Hazou
The House on Tuesday rejected the president’s refusal to sign off on a bill extending a freeze on property foreclosures, with the matter now set to be referred to the supreme court.
The bill, passed earlier this month, would have renewed a moratorium on repossessions up to October 31. The freeze is currently set to expire at the end of July.
The stated purpose of the freeze on foreclosures is to give people relief during the ongoing economic fallout related to the coronavirus situation.
President Nicos Anastasiades had refused to sign it when passed, citing a number of reasons, including that it appeared to interfere with the right of borrowers to freely enter into a contract.
As per procedure, he had sent the bill back to parliament.
Parliament had the option of accepting the president’s referral or declining it, that is, insisting that the bill be enacted into law.
The president is now expected to refer the bill to the supreme court.
