Filenews 12 January 2022 - by Vassos Vassiliou
If the scenarios behind the scenes prevail and provided that the pre-election period does not lead to the torpedoing of the reform, then the mergers of municipalities are closer than ever and perhaps the number of new formations ranges between 18-19.
One of the scenarios that are coming back concerns the union of Strovolos municipality with Nicosia Municipality, when the new municipalities, from 20 initiated by the parliamentary parties, will be reduced to 19. According to other considerations that seem to be taking place, there is the possibility of integrating another municipality (not necessarily in Nicosia) where their number is reduced to 18 and in this case it is considered unlikely that the government side will torpedo the whole process, since it essentially achieves the goals around 17.
According to information from the "F", the parliamentary parties have tabled several amendments, which will be examined before the parliamentary Committee on the Interior. Its president, Mr. Aristos Damianou, estimated that two sessions may be required before the bills are referred before the plenary of the Parliament.
Parties are said to have submitted amendments as to the responsibilities of the new Municipalities and the way in which the aldermen are elected. In contrast to their election from districts to which they will belong, as is now provided for, there is a proposal that they be elected by the (new) municipal councils, as is the case today.
Another issue of concern to the parties concerns referenda, namely whether they will be held in each local authority separately or whether a referendum will be held by all the local authorities that will make up each new format. In other words, if five local authorities will participate in a new municipality, a single referendum should be held. Under the circumstances, the position for holding a referendum on the whole of Cyprus does not seem to be "passing" as to whether or not the reform should take place.
The above will begin to be clarified by tomorrow's session before the parliamentary Committee on the Interior.
