Filenews 25 February 2022 - by Vassos Vassiliou
In the air, as to the new shape in which they will end up, in the context of the reform, there are six municipalities, namely the Municipalities of Aglantzia, Strovolos, Aradippou, Deryneia, Ypsonas and Geroskipou.
The Municipality of Aglantzia seems to be united with Nicosia, Geroskipou seems to be integrated into the Municipality of Pafos, Strovolos has not yet made it clear whether it will be joined with Nicosia, Deryneia probably ends up in Paralimni while there is also a pending issue for the Municipality of Ypsonas. As far as the Municipality of Aradippou is concerned, whose autonomy is promoted by DISY, it seems that reactions are also provoked by a citizens' initiative group who, in a letter to the Speaker of the Parliament, are in favour of joining with Larnaka Municipality. They also indicate that the proposal submitted for unification with Troulloi is unsubstantiated, without serious arguments and is not based on any substantial study that can guarantee its viability. According to the own-initiative group, this proposal appears to serve the interests of certain local actors and personalities. However, despite the reactions, it seems that the union with the community of Troulloi is not out of the question.
However, the parties did not even open their cards yesterday, which suggests a bargain at the last minute. However, the chairman of the Interior Committee, Aristos Damianou, sent a letter to the speaker of the House asking for the implementation of the regulation so that the amendments could be tabled 48 hours before the plenary, in order to give time for everyone to study them.
Apart from the number of municipalities that the Government does not wish to exceed 17, the issue of referendums is also open, although it is not excluded that some parties will not insist on holding them, if they are satisfied with the number and composition of the new formats. As is well known, the government did not want referendums to be held, but in the end it took a step back by accepting a single state referendum instead of holding a referendum on each new format or a referendum in each local authority participating in the new formats, as the opposition parties were seeking.
The above issues will probably be clarified in parliament's plenary session to be held on 3 March.
In statements after the closed-door session of the Parliamentary Committee on the Interior, DISY MP Nikos Sykas made reference to amendments before the Plenary, related to referendums.
"Our position is clear that any attempt at referendums endangers or touts local government," he said. He also said that "DISY has tabled an amendment for 17 municipalities".
He also referred to an amendment according to which "those who have exhausted the three terms and more will be able to run for another term, until 2029".
DIPA MP Marinos Mousiouttas reiterated the party's positions, mainly on two thorny issues, namely the number of municipalities and referendums. In particular, he mentioned that DIPA is against the holding of referenda, since, as he explained, whatever form they take (locally or regionally) may result in the reform not being implemented.
He also reiterated the position of the DIPA for 14 municipalities. "There is a note of optimism that in the end the municipalities will be much less than 20 or 17," he concluded.
