National Council convenes with new composition

The National Council of Cyprus convened at 10:00 on the morning of its first session following the legislative elections held last May. President Nikos Christodoulides presided over the meeting, which focused on the latest developments regarding the Cyprus issue, including recent contacts with Maria Angela Holguin and preparations for an upcoming extended summit. This session marked the inaugural participation of new political forces, specifically the ALMA-Citizens for Cyprus movement represented by Odysseas Michaelides and the Direct Democracy party led by Fidias Panayiotou. Other attendees included party leaders Annita Demetriou (DISY), Stefanos Stefanou (AKEL), Christos Christou (ELAM), and Nikolas Papadopoulos (DIKO). Government officials in attendance included Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, Government Spokesman Constantinos Letymbiotis, and negotiator Menelaos Menelaou. Former President Nicos Anastasiades did not attend the meeting. President Christodoulides announced his intention to separately brief the leaders of parties not represented in parliament, specifically EDEK, DIPA, and the Movement of Ecologists.