The Council of Ministers has decided to extend the term of the existing municipal and community councils for two years and a relevant proposal will be referred to the House of Representatives for a vote.
As the Minister of Interior Socrates Hasikos stated a while ago, the reason for the extension of the mandate of the local self-government councils is until the completion of the local self-government reform.
It is noted that during today's meeting of the Minister, it was also decided to create a Ministry of Tourism and Shipping, something that should also get the "green light" from Parliament.
Reactions of parties for the postponement of Municipal Elections
The reaction of the political parties was immediate, after the decision of the Council of Ministers for the submission of a bill to the Parliament, for the postponement of the Municipal Elections for 2,5 years.
DISY: Four points regarding the Government's proposal for the Local Government elections
Regarding the Government's proposal for postponement of the Municipal Elections and extension of the term of the existing Local Authorities due to the Local Government Reform, DISY would like to point out the following:
1 / DISY will examine with a positive approach the proposal of the Government.
This is a logical and rational position, since when we talk about Local Government Reform, we as DISY, we also mean the reduction of the number of Municipalities, in the first phase from 30 to 22.
Therefore, it is more logical to make the Reform first, to contract those Municipalities that should be merged, so that the Local Government elections take place in the new environment and the Mayors and Councilors who will be elected have a clear picture before them with the new conditions and data. In contrast to now where some will be elected and the next day they will be called to implement the merger of their Municipality with another Municipality.
2 / DISY's firm position is that the four electoral processes (European elections, Parliamentary, Municipal and Presidential) that take place in a period of just five years, is an unproductive practice and process for both the State and the citizens themselves, and therefore a way must be found for at least two of the four processes to coincide in time.
In case the Government's proposal is adopted by the Plenary Session of the House of Representatives, DISY considers that the time of postponement of the Local Government elections should be such as to coincide with the next European elections. This is because in both electoral processes (European elections and Local Government) the same Voters List is used, which includes European citizens residing in Cyprus.
3 / As DISY we believe that from the moment the Government proposes with a relevant Bill the postponement of the Municipal Elections, as Parliamentary Parties we must act quickly and within the next few days to decide by the Plenary whether to accept or reject the Government's proposal .
This is both the fairest and the least that we should, in our opinion, do against all the candidates who have announced and are preparing for the Municipal Elections.
4 / In case the majority of the Parliament does not approve the proposal of the Government, DISY declares that it is ready for the upcoming Local Government elections.
AKEL: The only case in which AKEL has a chance to discuss the postponement of the elections is the emergence of dramatic developments in the Cyprus negotiations
We are surprised that the government, a few weeks before the Local Government elections, is raising the issue, on the occasion of the reform of the institution, of postponing the elections.
Local government reform has been greatly delayed due to the government and its policies. He had received a comprehensive plan for the reform of the Local Government, he dismantled this plan, he sailed in various scenarios that did not even find support from the ruling party and now the government is coming to raise the issue of postponing the elections under the guise of reform. .
AKEL does not agree with the postponement of the elections. Elections must be held. The only case in which AKEL has a chance to discuss the postponement of the elections is the emergence of such dramatic developments in the Cyprus negotiations that open the prospect of a solution to the Cyprus problem in the short term. Then, for us, the solution of the Cyprus problem will certainly be a priority. But now there are no such conditions, much less, the issue of reform can not be used to postpone elections. Elections must be held. This is the position of AKEL.
DIKO: Opposes the postponement of the Local Government elections
The Democratic Party intends to vote against the government bill, which will implement the decision of the Council of Ministers to postpone the local elections.
The Republic of Cyprus, its institutions and its democratic processes must continue in any case and no messages must be sent that we intend to suspend the operation of the state, for any reason.
Reform in local government, when completed and passed into law, can be implemented by the next elections.
It is also inconceivable, less than two months before the elections, to discuss their postponement.
EDEK: Against the postponement of elections
EDEK opposes the decision of the Council of Ministers to postpone the Municipal Elections.
The "reform" as proposed, is essentially limited to secondary and tertiary issues without touching on the substance of the issue. It provides only for the creation of provincial complexes of limited competence and power and does not extend to either municipal reductions or groundbreaking changes.
A serious state does not suspend its operation in view of possible developments and reforms. After all, this "reform" of local government has been pending for years. Therefore, today's decision of the government under the pretext of the forthcoming "reform" shows amateurism and confirms that it hides expediencies.
Citizens 'Alliance: The Citizens' Alliance strongly opposes the retention of anyone in power by law and not by elections
The decision of the Council of Ministers to postpone the municipal elections for two years lacks any serious reason.
As a Citizens' Alliance, we strongly oppose the retention of anyone in power by law and not by elections. Democracy demands that the citizens decide by their vote for those who want to govern them and not the party leaderships. Especially today when the scandals in the local government follow one after the other.
If the Anastasiadis Government wants to combine the European elections with the Municipal elections, the only democratic solution offered is to determine by law a 3-year term for the municipal authorities that will be elected next December. Any other regulation is unconstitutional and catalyzes basic principles of democracy.
The Anastasiadis government is crippling democracy. The Citizens' Alliance will continue to fight for the expansion and deepening of democracy and civil rights.
Solidarity Movement: The decision to postpone the Primary Schools is anti-democratic - It was taken for the Cyprus issue and not for the reform
"The decision of the cabinet to extend the term of the local mayors and councils that were elected in 2011 for another two and a half years, is in the mildest characterization anti-democratic."
This was stated today by the Spokesperson of the Solidarity Movement, Giannis Selinopoulos and added that: "This is an arbitrary decision which results in the postponement of the local elections in December."
"In no case" he stressed "we are not convinced by the explanations given by the Minister of Interior, after the decision of the Council of Ministers, that the decision was taken for the benefit of the Local Government itself, because the government has long been so aware of its content of the reform bill that she submitted, as well as the course of the discussion of the bill in the Parliament ".
The Spokesperson of Solidarity pointed out that "the specific decision of the cabinet clearly concerns the developments in the Cyprus issue and the service of the objectives of the secret negotiation tactics of President Anastasiadis".
"We reiterate that President Anastasiadis must, in addition to the National Council, inform in every detail, both the Parliament and the people, who are thirsty to know what is planned for their future behind closed doors," said Mr. Selinopoulos.
Environmental Movement: Last minute initiative to postpone municipal elections unacceptable
The proposal of the Minister of Interior that was approved by the Council of Ministers for postponement of the municipal elections is unacceptable, mainly for the time point, but also for the excuse that was invoked and concerns the reform in the local self-government.
The Government had all the time to complete the reform in the local self-government and with this postponement of the elections, the result will be to delay the reform even more.
As the Movement of Ecologists - Citizens' Cooperation, we believe that, according to the schedule of the Parliament, the elections should take place and there is time to complete the legislative control process, as well as to pass the laws by December 18. Local elections serve as a natural timetable for completing the legislative framework.
The postponement of the elections will send the reform in the local self-government to the Greek calendars.
The postponement of the elections suits the ruling party, which saw its turnout drop in the recent parliamentary elections and loses the possibility of local alliances in 2011, which allowed it to elect the vast majority of mayors.
Because he sees the ruling party losing in the local elections as well, he wants to postpone them.
So the ruling party's petty partisan motives behind this decision are obvious.
United Democrats: Call on Government and Political Parties to Agree on Postponement of Municipal Elections
The United Democrats, EDI, consider that the Cyprus issue is in a critical phase with important indications that political parties and organized citizens will soon be called upon to express their positions for an expected agreement on all the important chapters negotiated by the President of the Republic and the Leader of the Turkish Cypriot Community. Evaluating the expected positive results for both Communities of a settlement of the chronic Cyprus issue, such a development will be particularly welcome for EDI.
In a process of exchanging views on such serious and critical issues as well as on the necessary solidarity to support a possible completion of the procedures with an agreement on security and the constitutional order of a Bicommunal Bisexual Federation, the United Democrats call on the Government and the political parties to agree on the postponement of the Municipal Elections, as a necessary measure of a sober surrounding atmosphere.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the secretariat on Monday 24/10/2016
Source: SotiraNews / SigmaLive / Philenews