Independent candidate for the Presidency of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides today released his proposals for the Restructuring of the State, which are posted on his official website under the Pillar "State".
As stated in a relevant statement, "the long-standing existence of the phenomenon of corruption has been embedded in the consciousness of citizens as clearly reflected in relevant surveys. As a complex phenomenon, it is in a two-way relationship of mutual feedback with clientelism and is intertwined with the lack of accountability and transparency, the undermining of institutions and the erosion of traditional social values.
At the same time, it continues, it is generally accepted that corruption negatively affects the country's competitiveness, makes it difficult to attract quality investment and limits the economy's potential for growth.
The need to reorganise the state is more urgent than ever before, he stresses, hence the need to develop and consolidate a culture of zero tolerance and strengthen the citizen-politician-state relationship, based on trust, transparency, accountability and efficiency. A key priority of the governance programme is the transformation that will modernise the State and change the political culture.
The proposals are codified in 4 policy actions: Promoting Institutional Reforms, Establishing Participatory Democracy, Strict Enforcement of Rules and Zero Tolerance and Full Accountability and Efficiency through the Modernisation of Public Administration.
Among others, the proposals include:
- The promotion, in full respect of the Constitution and on the basis of Article 79, of the annual presentation by the President of the Republic to the Chamber of Deputies of the legislative programme that the Executive intends to promote. The aim is to ensure better communication of the priorities of the executive and continuous consultation with the legislature. Also, where the judiciary is affected, the President of the Republic shall carry out a statutory prior consultation.
- The introduction of specific criteria for the appointment of independent officials on the basis of defined additional qualifications and the creation of an Advisory Council with an advisory role, but with an obligation for the executive to publicly justify any deviation from its recommendations.
- The adoption of practices for better governance of semi-public bodies, with specific performance indicators and full accountability. Appointment of Boards of Directors through an open process, with the creation of an Evaluation Committee that has an advisory role in this process, and with necessary justification by the executive for deviation from its recommendations.
- The strengthening of public dialogue and the adoption of the institution of Participatory Democracy where, through Consultative, non-binding Referendums using technology, the government listens to society in the formulation of government policies.
- The creation of an online platform for public consultation on legislation, so that all citizens can express their views in a timely and fully transparent manner.
- To promote the establishment of a Small Claims Court for the speedy adjudication of cases up to €10,000.
- To strengthen alternative dispute resolution by referral to Mediation and Arbitration.
- To adopt measures, in cooperation with the Supreme Court, to improve law enforcement, such as amending the law on enforcement of judgments.
- Provide substantial support to the Anti-Corruption Authority with the necessary logistical infrastructure and staff, and promote the effective implementation of the recently adopted legislative framework. At the same time, the promotion of a strict anti-corruption code for all officials, building on examples and good practices of other countries.
- The establishment of a substantive mechanism for the protection of personal data, adopting the Pissarides et al. proposal, and the implementation of the quintessential "where did you get it from?" as a "simple mathematical equation". It is also envisaged the establishment of a Special Independent Authority that may extend the obligation beyond the cases explicitly defined by the Law, fully justified and specifically as "in the interest of transparency in public life or for the purpose of taking measures against corruption in public life." - The creation of a Mechanism for the Support and Coordination of Government Policies. The establishment of a Secretariat for the Support of Government Projects at the Presidency of the Republic, which monitors the implementation of government projects (including the electoral programme) and evaluates new methods of operation of the State, also making use of technology, with the aim of enhancing efficiency in the implementation of policies and projects.
- The improvement of communication between citizens and businesses and the State and the promotion of the service of their requests. The complete digitisation (from start to finish) of the 100 most important procedures concerning citizens and businesses
- The promotion of the "only once" principle for any document submitted to state services so that the citizen or business does not have to submit the same document over and over again for different purposes
- Ensuring geographical coverage of the whole of Cyprus with Citizen Service Centres, in parallel with the digitisation of their services.
- The promotion of the "only once" principle for any document submitted to state services so that the citizen or business does not have to submit the same document over and over again for different purposes.
- The digitisation of procedures for all investments, with the aim of attracting, facilitating and making them transparent.
- The extension and broadening of the scope of the assumption of responsibility by private consultants for expedited examination and issuance of permits. It must be combined with ex-post audits and spot checks with strict enforcement of laws where deficiencies or deviations from the laws are found.
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