'Father of the House' calls for calm

AKEL MP Adamos Adamou became the Republic of Cyprus’ new House Speaker on Friday, as well as acting president, following the resignation of Demetris Syllouris amid a passport scandal and a pending investigation.

According to the Cyprus News Agency, Adamou received a phone call on Thursday from Attorney General George Savvidis, informing the MP that he was the Acting President of the Republic.

Adamou's new role as House Speaker, confirmed by colleagues during a session on Friday, came about following the resignation of his predecessor Syllouris amid a golden passport scandal.

Based on the Constitution, due to the absence of President Nicos Anastasiades who is on a trip to Brussels, Adamou also serves as Acting President, as the position of Vice President has been vacant for decades due to the Cyprus Problem.

Adamou assumed the presidency of the parliament based on a seniority rule, which makes him House Speaker until the end of his term in 2021.

A message of calm came from Adamou on Thursday after reports said he was likely to be nominated for the interim position of House Speaker.

“At this time it’s important for things to calm down so that Parliament can do its job,” Adamou said.

Reports said House Representatives voted to comfirm Adamou in a bid to promote a conciliatory tone amid chaos caused after Al Jazeera reported on corruption in Cyprus, implicating Syllouris and another MP from AKEL, Christakis Giovanis who has also resigned.

Chaotic political developments have been unraveling quickly since Monday, when Al Jazeera published its latest video in a series of damning investigative reports into systemic failures and alleged corruption involving Cyprus' Passport by Investment Programme.