Filenews 3 November 2025 - by Angelos Nikolaou
Despite the strict regulations introduced about 20 months ago for the Advisors – Associates of the members of the Government, the associates of the MPs and the parliamentary parties continue to operate in a regime of privileged opacity.
The Parliament seems to have not yet proceeded with similar arrangements, despite the public commitments given by members of the Institutions Committee.
On February 29, 2024, the new legislative framework for the Advisors – Associates of the members of the Government came into force. This framework came to fill serious gaps in the previous practice, introducing clear appointment criteria, limits on the duration of the contract, but also strict provisions for transparency and accountability.
Among other things, the mandatory possession of a university degree, a clean criminal record and the absence of a relationship up to the third degree with officials is provided, while any second job is prohibited.
In addition, the Presidency of the Republic maintains and publishes an online register, where the names, qualifications, remuneration and service relationship of each associate with the member of the Government they serve are recorded.
The previous practice, which was determined by decision of the Council of Ministers on February 17, 2015, provided for the direct conclusion of a contract between the official and the Advisor-Associate, on the basis of a relevant provision in the annual budget. However, this system had gaps and weaknesses, as there were no statutory employment criteria or mechanisms to prevent the possible conversion of contracts into contracts of indefinite duration.
The GRECO Committee of the Council of Europe welcomed this initiative, describing it as an important step in strengthening transparency and trust in institutions.
Loose framework for parliamentary partners
On the contrary, for the approximately 100 parliamentary associates employed by MPs and parties, with a salary paid by the state, a much more flexible regime still applies.
There is no obligation to disclose their names, earnings or qualifications, and employment is prohibited only in cases of first-degree kinship with an incumbent MP.
At the same time, parliamentary associates have the right to keep a second job, as long as it does not create a conflict of interest. This fact has repeatedly raised questions about whether they actually perform the duties provided for in their contracts, with reports that many essentially work for party structures and not for the work of Parliament.
In addition, parliamentary associates are exempt from the obligation to submit a declaration of "asset declarations", while they are entitled to a one-time tip after the expiration of their contract.
Law proposals in drawers – Two speeds in accountability
Despite the passage of almost a year since the submission of relevant law proposals, none has yet progressed.
The proposal of DISY MP and chairman of the Institutions Committee, Dimitris Demetriou, was submitted in September 2024 with the aim of adopting similar rules to those that apply to government partners. However, the text does not fully cover all issues, such as exclusive employment and the establishment of a Code of Conduct.
At the same time, two more proposals remain pending: one concerns the salary upgrade of parliamentary associates in scales A8-10-11 of the Public Service, while the second, which bears the signature of the Speaker of the Parliament, Annita Demetriou, essentially provides for the doubling of the number of associates that each MP can have.
The result is a clear two-speed regime: on the one hand, government partners operate under a strict framework of transparency and control, and on the other, parliamentary partners enjoy greater flexibility and limited accountability.
The need for a uniform and fair framework is now imperative. As public administration circles note, transparency and good governance cannot be an issue... political sensitivity or institutional choice.
The Parliament is called upon to prove in practice that accountability is not a prerogative of the executive power, but a fundamental obligation of all those who serve the public interest.
