President Christodoulides denies knowledge of controversial limousine purchase

Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides has denied any prior knowledge regarding the planned purchase of a new armored presidential limousine valued at 595,000 euros. Speaking during an event in Meniko on September 5, 2026, the President stated that he learned of the acquisition through media reports that same morning. He emphasized that such security decisions are handled by specialized state services, arguing that a president should not necessarily be informed of the technical or administrative details of their own protective measures.

The procurement process, initiated by the Cabinet on July 16, 2026, was conducted via direct negotiation with a local car dealership rather than through a public tender. Technical specifications for the vehicle were withheld from Parliament, with the Ministry of Finance citing confidential security and armoring requirements. A request for the release of the 595,000 euro budget is currently pending before the parliamentary Finance Committee.

President Christodoulides condemned the release of these details as a deliberate and politically motivated leak from the House of Representatives, intended to damage his reputation. He drew parallels to the security protocols of leaders in Greece, Israel, Egypt, and France, asserting that such internal state security decisions remain separate from presidential oversight. The matter remains under scrutiny as the parliamentary committee prepares to review the funding request.