Controversy over the purchase of a new presidential armored limousine in Cyprus

In early September 2026, a political controversy erupted in Cyprus regarding the procurement of a new armored limousine for President Nikos Christodoulides, estimated to cost 595,000 euros. The issue gained attention when the President publicly claimed he was unaware of the purchase, stating he only learned about it through media reports. He further alleged that the leak of this information from the House of Representatives was a deliberate attempt to damage his reputation.

Opposition parties, led by AKEL, criticized the President for his lack of transparency, pointing out that the Cabinet, which he chairs, officially approved the procurement on July 16, 2026. Following the criticism, Deputy Government Spokesman Giannis Antoniou later clarified that the President was aware of the Cabinet’s decision, suggesting that his initial remarks may have been a "poor formulation" rather than a lack of awareness regarding the project itself, but he remained uninformed about specific technical details.

Despite the controversy, the Parliamentary Committee on Finance reviewed the request and, on September 7, 2026, voted to release the necessary funds. The decision was supported by DISY, DIKO, and ELAM, while other parties opposed it. The procurement will proceed via direct negotiation, following precedents from 2010 and 2019, with the government emphasizing that the vehicle is state property meant for official security requirements.