The Paphos Municipal Council session on Monday afternoon was suspended amid absences and political tension surrounding Mayor Phedonas Phedonos. At the start, 15 of the 25 council members were present.
Calls for postponement
In a joint letter to Municipal Secretary Themis Philippidis, members from DIKO, EDEK, ELAM, Independent Movement “Anthropini Poli”, DIPA, and the Deputy Mayor requested the postponement of the session. They cited the pending decision of the Ministry of Interior under Article 113 of the Municipalities Law and emphasised that the request was made out of institutional prudence, not a judgement on the mayor’s innocence. Their goal was “for the plenary to operate with full institutional clarity and without shadows.”
AKEL exits session
The AKEL group initially attended but later withdrew after Mayor Phedonos refused to step aside or postpone the session. AKEL stated the decision was made to uphold political ethics, institutional order, and the integrity of local government. They also proposed that the council send a letter to the Ministry of Interior to expedite related procedures.
Mayor presides over closed session
At the session’s start, Mayor Phedonos announced that the meeting would be held behind closed doors due to discussions on the Tender Board, though media were permitted to record and then leave. The refusal to exclude the mayor led to AKEL’s exit, while other council members attended, including seven from the DISY and representatives from DIPA and the Movement “Sotirias”.
Institutional responsibility emphasised
AKEL clarified that their stance does not constitute a pre-judgement or challenge the presumption of innocence, but represents institutional responsibility, political seriousness, and respect for democratic norms. “Anthropini Poli” member Andreas Gregoriades questioned whether the reasons for the previous session’s cancellation remain unresolved, highlighting ongoing concerns about transparency and council operations.
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