Cabinet to decide on new National Guard Deputy Chief

The Cyprus Council of Ministers is set to meet this Saturday at the presidential residence in Troodos to determine the leadership of the National Guard, specifically the position of Deputy Chief. This decision is critical as it will confirm who holds the second-highest military rank in the country starting this autumn.

Three potential candidates are currently under consideration for the role. The first scenario involves the retention of the current Deputy Chief, 59-year-old Lieutenant General Neofytos Pachoulidis, who has served in the position since September 1, 2024. Should the cabinet opt for a leadership change, legal provisions under Article 10 of the National Guard Law mandate that the replacement must be selected from two eligible Greek-Cypriot Major Generals: Charis Georgiou, who currently serves as Director of the Minister of Defence’s Staff, and Andreas Charalambous, the incumbent Inspector General of the National Guard.

While the final decision rests with the Council of Ministers, reports suggest that Minister of Defence Vasilis Palmas has already indicated his preferences regarding these candidates. The outcome of Saturday’s session will solidify the military's top-level structure for the upcoming term.