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A bill aiming to boost government transparency by mandating the publication of all public sector decisions and administrative acts on a single digital platform was discussed Wednesday in Parliament’s Institutions Committee.
The proposal, spearheaded by DISY MP Dimitris Dimitriou and originally introduced in 2021, seeks to create an online portal consolidating information from all state bodies, public entities, and organizations receiving over 50% of their funding from the state. The initiative is modeled after Greece’s “Diavgeia” system.
Dimitriou described the bill as an “umbrella law” to streamline access to public information currently dispersed across multiple websites. He emphasized that digitization should go beyond scanning documents and must serve citizens in a user-friendly format.
Former MP Michalis Sophocleous, who co-authored the bill, said the law would require that no government act or payment be enforceable without prior registration on the platform. The Ministry of Finance would oversee enforcement, while the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation, and Digital Policy would manage implementation.
While many MPs and officials voiced support, including those from DIPA and AKEL, concerns were raised over feasibility, data protection, and duplication with existing systems such as the Official Gazette. Legal and technical objections were expressed by the Legal Service, the Data Protection Commissioner, and the Auditor General’s Office, citing constitutional concerns, GDPR compliance, and administrative burden.
Despite reservations, Dimitriou affirmed the committee’s commitment to moving forward, with article-by-article deliberation slated for June after input from stakeholders. He underscored the platform’s potential to make public administration more transparent and accountable.
AKEL MP Irini Charalambidou supported the bill but warned against repeating past failures of digital reforms, calling for serious oversight and accountability to ensure successful implementation.
