The Audit Office criticized the veterinary services for not taking action against illegal livestock farms operating on protected land, specifically mentioning a large unregistered farm in the Chanoutaris Cliffs special protection zone in Paphos.
President Christodoulides’ cabinet reshuffle on January 8 received mixed reactions, with a public opinion survey indicating majority support for five out of six changes. The survey, conducted by Pulse Market Research for Phileleftheros, found that 26% of respondents thought the changes were needed, 48% saw them as necessary, 10% disagreed, and 16% did not respond. DISY supporters mostly favored the reshuffle, with DIKO and AKEL supporters also showing significant support for some changes. The replacement of Michalis Hatzigiannis, Anna Koukides-Procopiou, Popi Kanari, Petros Xenophontos, and Philippos Chatzizacharias was generally supported, except for the removal of Defence Minister Michalis Georgallas, which faced opposition from 44% of respondents. The survey had a sample size of 600, covered nationwide urban and rural areas, used random-stratified multistage sampling, and was conducted via telephone interviews from February 20 to 26, 2024.
A report on the construction work on roads in the Akamas region is expected to be completed soon, with Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou indicating it will be submitted to the cabinet by mid-March at the latest. Construction in the area was temporarily halted since November due to environmental concerns and allegations of deviation from the agreed parameters. The National Akamas Forest Plan, allowing construction in certain areas, was initiated in September but faced opposition from environmental groups for violating conditions of the plan. President Nikos Christodoulides expressed annoyance at the deviation from the agreed plans. Contractor Cyfield halted all construction works until issues were resolved. The House environment committee criticized the government’s handling of the situation. Petitions have been filed at the European Parliament’s petitions committee, requesting measures to protect the area’s biodiversity.