Parliamentary committee discusses 2026 European Commission rule of law report

On September 2, 2026, the Parliamentary Committee on Institutions held its first meeting to discuss the European Commission's annual report on the rule of law in Cyprus. A core recommendation highlighted in the session was the persistent need for reforming the Legal Service, specifically separating the powers of the Attorney General from those of the public prosecutor. The report also introduced a new recommendation addressing excessive delays in court proceedings.

During the session, Transparency Commissioner Charis Poyiatzis noted that the Anti-Corruption Authority is scaling up, with plans to increase staff to 22 by hiring six new officials. He reported that approximately 71% of received complaints have been processed. Conversely, the meeting saw sharp criticism from MP Odysseas Michaelides, who characterized the Legal Service as "pathological and expensive," citing a study suggesting that costs for the Cypriot judicial and prosecutorial sectors significantly exceed European averages. Akis Gikas of the Audit Office further raised concerns regarding restricted access to information, which continues to hinder his office's oversight duties.

The discussion highlighted a divide between executive branch representatives, who pointed to progress made, and MPs who focused on unresolved structural deficiencies. The committee will continue to monitor the implementation of the Commission's recommendations as legal and administrative reforms progress.