A bill for the reform of the Audit Office is expected to be put to a vote during today’s plenary session of the House of Representatives. However, the provision for the creation of an Audit Council has been removed from the Justice Ministry’s draft legislation, following the strong objections raised by Auditor General Andreas Papaconstantinou. Appearing before the Legal Affairs Committee, Papaconstantinou argued that the proposed Audit Council is unprecedented worldwide and would function as a “big brother” within the Audit Office.
Despite Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis’ efforts to convince MPs of the government’s good intentions, he ultimately stood alone. He was therefore compelled to accept the proposal of the chairman of the House Legal Affairs Committee, Nicos Tornaritis, to proceed with the reform bill for voting without the provision for establishing an Audit Council.
What MPs will vote on Today
During today’s plenary session, MPs will be called upon to vote on the bill as amended by the Legal Affairs Committee. The legislation provides for the following:
Qualifications: Candidates for the posts of Auditor General and Deputy Auditor General must possess the highest moral standing and recognised academic qualifications or experience in the financial, accounting, auditing, or related fields.
Term of Office: The positions will carry an eight-year term without the possibility of reappointment, except in cases where the officeholders reach the age of 68 before their term expires, in which case they will retire.
Abolition of Civil Service Status: The constitutional provision granting the Auditor General and Deputy Auditor General permanent civil servant status is to be abolished.
Financial Independence: The Audit Office will gain financial autonomy, preparing its own annual budget through the Auditor General. The Office’s budget will form a distinct section of the state budget, be included in full for the relevant fiscal year, and be published in the Official Gazette of the Republic.
Transitional Provision: The current Auditor General and Deputy Auditor General will continue to serve under their existing terms of appointment, meaning they will retire upon reaching the age of 65.
Auditor General agrees on bill provisions
Auditor General Andreas Papaconstantinou, both in his appearance before the Legal Affairs Committee and in a memo dated September 24, 2025, expressed his agreement with the proposed provisions concerning the financial autonomy of the Audit Office. He said that these provisions promote the rule of law, strengthen the institution’s overall independence, and align with the International Standards of Supreme Audit Institutions.
Regarding the introduction of an eight-year term without reappointment, Papaconstantinou noted that limiting the duration of tenure in key institutional roles enhances independence and impartiality, thereby contributing to a more objective and effective functioning of the institution.
AKEL bill also put to vote
Also set to be put to vote during today’s plenary session is a bill submitted by MP Andros Kyprianou on behalf of AKEL, aiming to safeguard impartiality in the appointment of the Auditor General and Deputy Auditor General through the introduction of restrictions.
Specifically, the AKEL proposal seeks to establish that individuals who have served as ministers during the term of the President of the Republic making the appointment should be ineligible for these positions. It also provides that individuals who are members of parliament or hold senior positions within the organisational structure of a political party at the time of appointment should also be ineligible.