A new government bill seeking to exempt the chair and members of Cyprus' Advisory Council from filing asset declarations ("Pothen Esches") is set to come under scrutiny in parliament, more than a year after a similar proposal was rejected by MPs.
The legislation, submitted by the Ministry of Justice, follows the defeat in May 2025 of a private member's bill tabled by DISY MP Dimitris Demetriou, which sought the same exemption.
Government revives rejected proposal
The bill will be discussed by the House Institutions Committee amid wider questions over recent appointments to semi-governmental organisations.
The government argues that the Advisory Council should be exempt because it:
- Has no executive authority.
- Does not manage public funds or award contracts.
- Consists of unpaid members.
- Already requires declarations of conflicts of interest.
The Legal Service has also backed the proposal, citing the body's advisory role and lack of decision-making powers.
Concerns over participation
The Ministry maintains that mandatory asset declarations may discourage academics, professionals and experts from serving on the council.
Former judge George Aresti, who chairs the body, said some members of a previous council resigned because the organisations they represented did not permit them to submit asset declarations.
Support for the bill has also been expressed by the Cyprus Bar Association and ICPAC.
Tax Commissioner urges caution
Tax Commissioner Sotiris Markides, who oversees asset declaration compliance, acknowledged that the council does not exercise executive powers but cautioned that unpaid service alone should not automatically justify an exemption.
He argued that transparency requirements should primarily depend on the nature and scope of a body's responsibilities.
Debate follows appointment controversy
The discussion comes against the backdrop of criticism surrounding recent appointments to semi-governmental organisations.
The Advisory Council was established in July 2023 to evaluate candidates and submit recommendations to the Council of Ministers, which retains final appointment authority.
However, questions were raised after 21 individuals appointed to public boards were not among the candidates recommended by the council.
AKEL has accused the government of using the body as a cover for political appointments, while DISY has requested parliamentary scrutiny of the issue.
The government has responded that responsibility for appointments ultimately rests with the Council of Ministers.
