Christos Senekis assumes role of Minister of Agriculture

Christos Senekis has officially assumed the role of Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment in Cyprus, following a cabinet reshuffle. Senekis, a lawyer and member of the Democratic Party (DIKO) who has served as a Member of Parliament for Famagusta since 2021, took the oath of office at the Presidential Palace on August 6, 2026. He succeeds Maria Panagiotou, who stepped down after 30 months in the position to pursue a teaching career at Drosia Gymnasium.

During the handover ceremony, Senekis emphasized his commitment to transparency and collaboration with the ministry's staff, aiming to focus on rural support, agricultural development, and environmental protection. Representing the newly appointed cabinet members during the swearing-in, he acknowledged the high expectations of the public and the responsibility to fulfill the government’s policy program. In her farewell address, the outgoing minister, Maria Panagiotou, asserted that she was leaving by her own choice, highlighting a list of 62 accomplishments during her tenure.

While Panagiotou defended her record, some media reports note that her departure follows a period of public criticism regarding the handling of water management issues, forest fires, and livestock disease outbreaks. Senekis now faces the task of managing these ongoing challenges and addressing the concerns of stakeholders in the agricultural and environmental sectors.