The government announced a €35 million package, including an extension to the electricity subsidy until the end of June, aimed at easing the burden of the cost-of-living crisis on Cypriot households.
The electricity subsidy is being extended until the end of June and will cover more than 400,000 households and 100,000 businesses.
House Speaker Annita Demetriou publicly supported a bill to end lifetime benefits for former presidents and House speakers in Cyprus. The proposed legislation would terminate provisions such as a state limousine, police chauffeurs, and a secretarial allowance until death. Independent deputy Alexandra Attalides suggested that these benefits should last for only five years after an official leaves their position. The Green party advocated for complete abolition of these benefits. If unchanged, Demetriou, at the end of her term at age 41, would receive a state car with chauffeur and a €3,000 monthly allowance for life, potentially another 40 years. The cost of these benefits for two former presidents and three former speakers is about €700,000 a year, separate from their state pensions, which for a former president is around €8,000 per month. The audit office provided these figures. During the ethics committee discussion, the under-secretary to the president, Irini Piki, opposed abolishing the benefits. The secretarial allowance is not taxed and is given even if a secretary is not employed.