Parliament debates bill to exempt advisory council from wealth disclosure requirements

The Parliamentary Committee on Institutions began discussing a government-sponsored bill that would exempt the president and members of the Advisory Council from mandatory wealth declarations, known as 'pothen esches'. The committee chair, DISY MP Dimitris Dimitriou, noted that the proposal originated from a February 2025 request by Advisory Council head Doros Ioannidis. A previous private member's bill on the same subject was rejected by the plenary in May 2025. In 2026, the executive branch resubmitted the proposal for parliamentary review. During the debate, DIKO and ELAM supported the change, while AKEL expressed opposition. Alma and Amessi Dimokratia voiced reservations regarding the move. Ministry of Justice representative Phaedra Gregoriou reiterated that the core legislation requires public officials to submit electronic disclosures within four months of appointment or departure, and noted that the current bill includes provisions for criminal offenses for failing to comply with filing requirements.