Speaker of the House restricts social media filming and conduct in parliament

President of the House of Representatives Annita Demetriou has issued a formal circular to all members of parliament to curb practices she deems inappropriate for a state institution. The intervention, announced on July 31, 2026, follows discussions at a meeting of party leaders regarding unprofessional behaviors that undermine the dignity of the legislative body.

The new directives specifically target the practice of members recording and posting social media videos that are unrelated to their parliamentary duties. Demetriou stated that such content triggers unnecessary and derogatory public commentary. Furthermore, the circular reiterates that the Plenary Hall and committee rooms must not be used for purposes other than their official functions, and explicitly bans the consumption of beverages within the Plenary Hall.

Beyond professional conduct, the Speaker noted that unauthorized recordings may also infringe upon the privacy rights of other individuals present in the building. While the directive serves as a formal recommendation to maintain parliamentary decorum, it underscores the leadership's ongoing effort to protect the institutional reputation of the Cypriot Parliament from potential public backlash.