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Tensions are mounting over the government's controversial decision to appoint 209 community leaders in the newly established municipalities, with political parties, local officials, and deputy mayors up in arms over what they claim is a move driven by political expediency rather than public interest.
The appointments, which come as part of Cyprus' Local Government Reform, have sparked fresh criticism just a day before the parliamentary debate on improving the functionality of the revamped municipalities. The backlash follows growing discontent over the perceived sidelining of nearly 100 elected deputy mayors — many of whom have been left without any concrete responsibilities.
Political Firestorm
DISY and AKEL have both slammed the government's handling of the reform, accusing President Nikos Christodoulides of prioritising political patronage over the needs of local communities.
AKEL went on the offensive, describing the appointments as a thinly veiled attempt by the government to set up local political staffs ahead of the 2028 presidential elections.
"The government's only concern is building networks of loyal supporters," AKEL said in a fiery statement, accusing the administration of uprooting experienced community leaders to accommodate day labourers and political allies.
DISY echoed the criticism, with party spokesperson Onoufrios Koulla saying the decision "misunderstands the reform of local government, causes dysfunctions, and circumvents the popular verdict."
He argued that instead of appointing additional officials, the government should be delegating more powers to the elected deputy mayors — a move that would respect the will of the people.
Deputy Mayors Fight Back
In a show of defiance, the coordinating group of deputy mayors is set to meet in Limassol, where they will discuss their next steps. The group is expected to call for the revocation of the 209 appointments while analysing the amendments to the Local Government Bill currently under discussion.
Deputy mayors have been particularly vocal about the need to clarify their own responsibilities, amid concerns that the reform has rendered their roles ceremonial and redundant.
Margarita Kyriakou, spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior, acknowledged the issue on SPOR FM's Diapora News show, admitting that the current bill leaves gaps in defining the powers of deputy mayors.
However, she stressed that the ministry was working to close these loopholes through consultations with deputy mayors and political parties. Proposed solutions include assigning non-executive responsibilities such as overseeing cleanliness and social welfare infrastructure — a suggestion that has been met with lukewarm reactions.
Growing Distrust
The issue has reignited broader frustrations about the way the Local Government Reform is being implemented, with critics accusing the government of pushing through half-baked measures under the guise of modernisation.
The EDEK party, which had opposed the reform from the outset, seized the opportunity to reiterate its own proposals — including giving deputy mayors more active roles in overseeing municipal projects and representing their communities in municipal councils.
"We warned from the beginning that this reform was riddled with loopholes," EDEK said in a statement, accusing other parties of now mourning on ruins after turning a blind eye to the flaws of the bill.
Dust Settling, But Not the Controversy
As the political debate rages on, the government's next moves will be closely watched. The Interior Ministry is expected to table amendments to the bill in the coming days, but whether they will be enough to ease the backlash remains to be seen.
With local officials gearing up for further mobilisations and political parties sharpening their rhetoric, the battle over local government reform is far from over — and the people's verdict is still hanging in the balance.
