The final decisions on the bills that will be passed for voting in the Plenum regarding the much-discussed Reform of Local Government, is taken by the Home Affairs Committee today, after a long period of debate on the issue by this and the previous Parliament.
It is expected to complete consideration of the 85 or so amendments tabled by the parties and whose consideration began in previous sessions.
The Home Affairs Committee has recommended that the bills be put to a vote in the House on Thursday, February 24, with a request to the Conference of Chiefs that there be no prospect or possibility of postponing the matters.
The "thorny issues"
The thorny issues that are expected to be clarified are the issue of mergers and clustering of municipalities and communities, whether or not to hold referendums on the reform and issues relating to how deputy mayors are elected. Also, as reported after last Thursday's meeting by Committee Chairman Aristos Damianou, a scenario for a possible increase in the number of municipal councillors was raised and is being discussed.
The positions of each party
According to statements made in the past few days by MPs, DISY is in favour of the creation of 17 municipalities, while it believes that holding referendums reverses the reform of local government.
AKEL[/B] considers, among other things, that the provision as it currently stands in the Bill for holding local referendums should remain, as well as the table with the number of municipalities, provided for in the Bill, for 18 new municipal formations, plus 2 pre-existing ones.
The DIKO had expressed satisfaction with the adoption of the party's proposals by the Interior Committee in the text to be submitted to the plenary session and regarding a proposal for the creation of a municipal division in Ayia Fyla. At the same time, he expressed satisfaction with the positive approach for the establishment of an Independent Authority for Service Issues, with responsibility for the recruitment, promotion and advancement of municipal and community employees.
ELAM[/B] expresses as a general philosophy that local government should not lose direct contact with the citizen and that huge municipalities should not be created in which the citizen is lost.
The EDEK is in favour of holding local referendums.
The DPA developed its scenario for 14 demoi, and said it is open to a smaller number, noting that the party favours fewer demoi and more clusters of communities.
The Ecologist-Citizen's Movement has submitted an amendment to create an Akamas municipality, consisting of Pegeia and some of the villages in the area, which are directly related to the National Park and the Natura site.
It should be noted that in order to pass the local government reform, the Parliament agreed to postpone local government elections scheduled for last December, while extending the term of office of existing local leaders until May 2024.
Source: KYPE
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