First Lady returns to Foreign Affairs duties amid allowance controversy

First Lady Philippa Karsera-Christodoulides is set to return to her position at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs following the expiration of her unpaid leave granted after her husband, Nikos Christodoulides, was elected President of the Republic. Her return has sparked a wave of reactions on social media, particularly regarding her eligibility for education allowances typically provided to those serving in the diplomatic service.

Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis responded promptly to a post on the social media platform X, which raised concerns about tuition fees for a specific school. He emphasized that Karsera-Christodoulides, who has served in the diplomatic service since 1999, has not applied for any educational or other allowances since her husband assumed the presidency.

“Mrs. Philippa Karsera-Christodoulides, Minister Plenipotentiary, has not applied for an educational allowance since President Christodoulides took office,” Letymbiotis stated. He added that between March and June 2023, the government returned a proportionate part of the tuition subsidy to the Republic, a fact previously communicated to the media.

Letymbiotis clarified that the education allowance is designed to partially cover the tuition fees of private schools attended by the children of diplomats, both in Cyprus and abroad. This allowance is contingent upon annual approval by the Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and it requires the diplomat to submit an application.

“As of March 2023, Ms. Karsera has not made such a request,” he concluded.

As the First Lady resumes her duties, it remains to be seen how her return will affect discussions around diplomatic allowances and education funding in Cyprus.