Parliamentary debate over two conflicting proposals
The fate of the Indepedent Social Support Body will be discussed in tomorrow’s session of the House of Representatives’ Institutions Committee, where two conflicting bills are set for review.
AKEL proposes abolishing the Authority and transferring its responsibilities to the Cyprus State Scholarships Foundation (IKYK). Meanwhile, DISY recommends maintaining the Body with major reforms to enhance transparency and accountability.
The Christodoulides government ultimately favours reform rather than abolition. A draft amendment will be tabled in Parliament to modify the existing legislation governing the Body, a charitable fund that has become associated with opacity and accusations of political favouritism.
Videogate scandal sparks reform debate
The controversy surrounding the Body erupted with the “videogate” scandal. President Christodoulides initially considered abolishing the Body to quell public outrage after a video suggested that major investors could bypass bureaucracy or gain presidential favour by contributing to the fund, chaired by the First Lady.
The scandal led to the resignation of First Lady Philippa Karsera as president of the Body and the President’s brother-in-law, Charalambos Charalambous, as Director of the Presidential Office.
Between March 2023 and the end of 2025, the fund received €6.4 million exclusively from private donations. However, the identities and contribution amounts of donors remain undisclosed, as both the Attorney General and the Commissioner for Personal Data Protection blocked parliamentary scrutiny, citing privacy concerns.
AKEL pushes for abolition
AKEL submitted a bill titled “Independent Social Support Body (Abolition) Law of 2026,” sponsored by General Secretary Stefanos Stefanou and co-signed by MP Kyriakos Chatzigiannis (DISY) and MP Alexandra Attalidou (Volt).
The proposal calls for the Body’s dissolution and the transfer of its assets and responsibilities to the IKYK. According to AKEL, this move will prevent administrative overlap, ensure proper management, strengthen transparency, and promote public interest.
DISY proposes reform with accountability measures
DISY tabled a counterproposal, titled “Independent Social Support Body (Amendment) Law of 2026,” sponsored by MP Nikos Georgiou and co-signed by independent socialist MP Kostis Efstathiou.
The bill aims to reform the existing legislation and introduce safeguards to enhance accountability and transparency, including:
- Limiting private contributions to €50,000 per donor annually.
- Appointing a president of the Management Committee with recognised credibility and ethics, replacing the First Lady.
- Maintaining a donor register with names, contribution amounts, and dates.
- Publishing the donor list on the Body’s official website for donations exceeding €500, with prior written consent from each donor.
These safeguards reflect recommendations from the Audit Office’s November 2025 report, which highlighted potential conflicts of interest due to the First Lady’s chairmanship and contributors’ interactions with the government.
Government seeks consensus for reform
The Christodoulides administration supports the Body’s evolution rather than abolition. It is expected to work with coalition partners DIKO, DIPA, and EDEK to pass the amendment through Parliament. Should the necessary majority fail, the government will back DISY’s proposal.
DISY and AKEL’s proposals reflect a clear divide: one seeks closure to prevent misuse and enhance public oversight, while the other prioritises structural reform to maintain the Body’s operations with stricter accountability.
The broader implications
The debate over the Independent Social Support Body touches on larger issues of public trust, governance, and ethical political practice in Cyprus. Lawmakers emphasise that the management of charitable funds linked to public office must balance transparency, legal compliance, and the public interest.
As Parliament prepares to vote, the focus remains on whether reform or abolition can restore public confidence and ensure responsible management of the Body’s resources.
Also read: Donations to Independent Social Support Body listed by Auditor General
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