Filenews 17 December 2025 - by Elefthreia Paizanou
The parliamentary elections of May 2026 seem to somewhat put aside the many cross-checks and cuts of funds, with the parliamentary parties opting for the insertion of a note, i.e. informing the Parliament every six months.
One of the reasons for this... moderation is perhaps so that the current MPs do not leave the decisions as a dowry to the new MPs, as, as the data so far show, 1/3 of the members of the Parliament are expected to change.
Of the 92 amendments submitted by the parties, 12 of them obtain the required majority. Of course, it is not excluded that other amendments will be approved at the last minute, as some parties will make their final decisions today.
The state budget for 2026 will be approved this afternoon without any problems by the Plenary Session of the Parliament, with the votes of DISY, DIKO, DIPA and EDEK, with amendments that are not of particular importance. As in previous years, this year there was cooperation between the parties to approve a series of changes, while there will be other alliances to pass additional amendments.
Specifically, the following amendments are expected to get the green light:
-Crossing of the fund for the construction of phase A of Macedonia Avenue, of the project "construction of the road of primary importance from Aglantzia to the international exhibition in Engomi.
-Commitment of credits for the purchase of specialized advisory and legal services to promote the work of the utilization of the state report.
-Crossing of funds for the southern extension of Akadimias Avenue.
-Commitment of credits of €18.5 million. for the primary roads in the municipalities. They concern the construction of the second phase of the project that starts from the Makarios Sports Center and ends at the new Nicosia-Limassol road through Alexandroupolis, Python, Iraklis and Stavrou streets. Improvement of Louki Akrita, Navrinou and Grigoris Afxentiou avenues in Nicosia and Agiou Dometiou. Preparation of a study for the improvement of Hatziiosif Avenue in Strovolos.
Update
-Insertion of a note to inform the Parliamentary Committee on Finance in writing every six months of the appropriations of €64.2 million relating to social welfare benefits. An amount of €56.2 million will cover the recommendations of the Ad Hoc Committee on humanitarian issues, in accordance with the decision of the Council of Ministers. The financing of the Special Solidarity Fund and emergency sponsorships. Also an amount of €8 million. will be spent on the Estia plans as well as Rent Against Instalment.
–Briefing of the Finance Committee every six months, appropriations of €166.8 million housing benefits, social assistance benefits, construction projects and solidarity and home affairs fund actions.
-Written information on the appropriations of €3.2 million which concern sponsorships from the Ministry of Health to associations that perform voluntary work as well as other bodies related to the health sector.
-Insertion of a note to inform the Finance Committee about the expenses related to Park and Ride passenger traffic.
-Briefing of the Parliament on the €15 million fund. interest rate subsidy scheme. The plan provides for a subsidy of up to 1.5% for housing loans, up to 3.5% for business loans for the first two years and 2% for the third and fourth years for small and medium-sized enterprises and the self-employed and 1.5% for large businesses.
-Insertion of a note to inform the Parliament about expenses of €19.5 million concerning the Increased Replacement Plan for the Loss of the pension rights of the members of the provident and pension funds, whose deposits have been impaired, as well as funds for the Primary Residence Support Plans and the NPL Management of the Equal Burden Distribution Body.
-Every six months the Refugee Committee will be informed of expenditure of €4 million that will cover government housing plans and the coverage of various existing obligations in government settlements.
Amount Commitment for GSI Cable
So far, amendments concerning the 5% cut in expenses for operating expenses and the commitment of funds related to the payment of rents housing government departments, for the purchase of real estate and credits related to the prohibition on hiring staff through the purchase of services for the purpose of meeting permanent needs do not seem to pass the obstacle of the Parliament.
An amendment was also tabled to commit an amount of €53.7 million for the electrical interconnection between Cyprus and Greece, as well as for the costs for the master plan of the Vassiliko area and the compliance with the conditions included in the environmental opinion.
Individual amendments
It should be noted that the parties also submitted individual amendments. For example, AKEL is asking for spending on privatizations to be cut. In the end, the proposal is likely to obtain the required majority and be approved.
Also, AKEL proposes to cut the funds for the participation of the Ministry of Defense in programs and initiatives of the European Union, the contribution of the European Peace Mechanism and the operating costs of the training center Cyprus Center for Land, Open-seas and Port Security.
It is also requested to commit the appropriations related to the Akamas Sustainable Development Plan and expenses related to the new accommodation center for asylum seekers in Limnes. A commitment of the appropriations related to the Akamas Sustainable Development Plan and expenses related to the new accommodation center for asylum seekers in the Lakes is also requested.
ELAM proposes the cutting of all credits related to immigration, for the opening of new roadblocks, the bi-communal programs, the benefits for asylum seekers and the construction of the Macedonia Avenue road, as well as the tuition fees for scholarships for Turkish Cypriot students who live in the occupied territories and study at the English School. It also proposes the commitment of funds for the operation of new accommodation centers and the sponsorship for the English School.
EDEK proposes a cross-cutting of expenses for the service contract concerning the control of persons and luggage in the court premises by private offices providing security services.
DIPA proposes a cross-cutting of funds for the improvement of Larnaca Avenue in Nicosia and Aglantzia.
