The government has rejected criticism over its latest appointments to the boards of semi-state organisations, saying 78% of those selected had been recommended by the Advisory Council.
Deputy Government Spokesman Yiannis Antoniou acknowledged that the selection system was not perfect but argued that it represented a significant improvement on the previous process, which he said had largely been shaped by party affiliation.
Advisory Council proposed 74 appointees
Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency on Saturday, Antoniou said the Advisory Council had recommended 74 of the 95 people appointed to the boards.
A total of 1,282 applications were submitted, although some applicants expressed an interest in serving on two or three semi-state organisations.
“The important thing is that this system is much better than what existed before,” Antoniou said, adding that citizens can now express an interest without having to appear on a political party list.
He described the criticism directed at the government as “unfair” and said work was under way to address weaknesses in the system.
“We are identifying shortcomings and making improvements so that the system becomes better,” he said.
Appointments outside the application process
Responding to reports that some of those appointed had not submitted applications, Antoniou said appointments had never been restricted exclusively to applicants.
He explained that some semi-state organisations attract limited interest, while certain board members are appointed ex officio because the positions are allocated to organisations, trade unions or other stakeholders.
The Advisory Council evaluates candidates and submits names to the relevant ministers, who then make recommendations to the Council of Ministers. Antoniou stressed that the council serves in an advisory capacity, while the executive retains the legal authority to make appointments.
Antoniou rejects party criticism
Antoniou also accused major opposition parties, including DISY and AKEL, of adopting a contradictory position.
He said semi-state organisations serve as instruments for implementing government policy and questioned how parties that describe themselves as being in opposition could simultaneously demand representation through their members.
Antoniou added that the new appointees came from across the ideological spectrum, describing the criticism as both “unfair” and “unjustified”.
Source: CNA.
