Government explains DEFA chairman’s CV disclosure after backlash

The Cyprus Presidential Palace defended its decision to release the CV of the new Chairman of the Public Natural Gas Corporation (DEFA), George Assiikalis, in response to criticism surrounding the move.

Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis told "Kathimerini" that the Presidential Palace followed standard procedures for appointments to state authorities or bodies, similar to previous appointments in semi-governmental organizations. Letymbiotis explained that the appointment letter, which included Assiikalis' CV, was sent to the House of Representatives. He emphasized that at no point was the CV labeled as personal data, nor was the letter classified.

Letymbiotis further clarified that it was the House of Representatives, specifically the office of the Director General, that chose to mark the CV as confidential when it was shared with members of parliament, citing the protection of personal data.

The spokesperson stressed that the Presidential Palace had no reason to withhold Assiikalis' CV but adhered to the procedure that requires informing the House first, with the CV being published officially after the appointment by the Council of Ministers.

In contrast, the CV of the proposed member of the new European Commission, Costas Kadis, was released on the same day his name was announced, as it was an official decision by the Presidential Palace that did not require prior notification of the House.

Among the reactions to the issue was that of prominent lawyer Christos Triantafyllides, who stated on the social media platform "X" on Wednesday morning:

"The publication of a person's CV in a State Authority or Body, when done as part of a legal notification process, does not violate the Personal Data Protection Law. Therefore, the House of Representatives had the right to review the CV of the newly appointed DEFA Chairman."

Triantafyllides also clarified that the new DEFA Chairman himself did not object to the publication of his CV, to avoid any misunderstandings.