The House Selection Committee has decided to maintain 16 parliamentary committees, the same number as in the previous legislative term, following a majority decision on Friday.
The meeting, which lasted more than two and a half hours, also finalised the distribution of committee chairmanships among political parties.
Distribution of committee chairs
Under the agreement, the Democratic Rally (DISY) and the left-wing AKEL will each chair five committees, while ELAM and DIKO will each take three chairmanships.
The allocation is as follows:
DISY will chair the Committees on Foreign Affairs, Commerce, Health, Legal Affairs and Institutions.
AKEL will chair the Committees on Interior, Labour, Agriculture, Refugees and Human Rights.
ELAM will chair the Committees on Defence, Environment and Transport.
DIKO retains the chairmanships of the Committees on Finance, Education and Audit.
Political reactions
DISY MP Demetris Demetriou said the party accepted fewer chairmanships than it believes it deserves in the spirit of cooperation.
He added that DISY approached the process with a willingness for consensus, although the outcome was not fully satisfactory for the party.
AKEL MP George Loukaides criticised the process, describing it as disappointing and lacking consensus, arguing that decisions were shaped in advance.
He also raised concerns over the allocation of key committees, including Defence, to ELAM.
ELAM MP Linos Papayiannis said the party is ready to assume its responsibilities and be judged on its performance, stressing that it is prepared for parliamentary work ahead.
Background
The agreement reflects the balance of power in the new parliamentary cycle and the continued negotiations between parties over institutional roles within the legislature.
Despite disagreements, the structure of parliamentary committees remains unchanged at 16, ensuring continuity in legislative oversight.
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