Filenews 14 January 2022 - byVassos Vassiliou
Until the last moment, cooking continues regarding the reform of local self-government, with DISY proposing the autonomy of the Municipality of Aradippou, which, based on the proposal of the ruling party, disengaged from Larnaka and merges with Kelia and Troulli.
However, since this implies an increase of municipalities to 21 out of the 17 sought by the government, DISY proposes the abolition of the Municipality of Dromolaxia - Meneou, which is incorporated in Larnaka Municipality, where based on the same proposal, Livadia is included. With this, the municipalities are reduced by one, so DISY can invoke the fact and appear as a party that moves towards reducing the number of municipalities, close to the limit of 17 set by the Government. The position of the local authorities, which would create their own municipality (Dromolaxia-Meneou) and are now incorporated in Larnaca, is awaited with interest.
The above proposal of DISY was tabled yesterday, in the form of an amendment and it is not excluded that in the remaining one to two meetings, other additional amendments may arise. Depending, always, and the reactions that will arise. Meanwhile, yesterday's development also reveals the extent of the reactions from local councils, given that the presidential election campaign has already begun.
Reference to the proposal of DISY was made yesterday by the chairman of the House Standing Committee on the Interior, Aristos Damianou, who after a long session said that an amendment was put by DISY to add another municipality, the Municipality of Aradippou, which will be discussed next week.
In total, about 80 amendments were put before the Committee and yesterday about 30 amendments of AKEL, DIKO and EDEK were discussed. Speaking on behalf of DIPA, Marinos Mousiouttas said that an amendment was tabled by a party to reduce the number of municipalities from 20 to 19. As "F" already wrote, thoughts were made for the integration of Strovolos municipality into Nicosia Municipality.
Mr. Damianou referred to convergences, which will be incorporated in the bills, clarifying that there are also amendments that are pending for discussion. As he said, the aim is to conclude the debate by next Thursday, but if this is not possible, then an additional session will be held with the aim of putting the bills before the Plenum of the House in February. Mr. Damianou acknowledged that some of the amendments concern the thorny issues of mergers, the complexity of the number of municipalities, the way of election of aldermen and other issues that have to do with the functionality of municipalities and provincial organizations.
On behalf of DISY, Mr. Sykas argued that the party remains stable over time regarding the government's bill that provides for 17 municipalities and base and with the minister's explanatory note there are two alternatives, without increasing the number of municipalities concerning the Larnaca district. He also said that based on the studies that have been carried out to make the municipalities viable, they should not exceed 17.
The parliamentary representative of DIKO, Panicos Leonidou, referred to the mergers of municipalities and brought back the issue of referendums, expressing the belief that a solution will be found with good will and responsibility. EDEK MP Kostis Efstathiou said that "we are getting very close to a consensual solution as much as we can". DIPA MP Marinos Mousiouttas reiterated the support of the faction in the 14 new municipalities, adding that there is also the number 17 from DISY and the 20 favoured by the majority of the Parliament. The Member of Parliament for Ecologists, Alexandra Attalidou, expressed the position that the election of the members of the town halls, as well as the mayors and aldermen, should reflect the political will of the citizens themselves and the voters and therefore all voices should be represented in the future councils of municipalities or in the clusters of communities.
