Lawmakers push for internal audit mechanism in Cypriot Parliament

MPs Odysseas Michaelides and Eirini Charalambidou of the ALMA movement have formally requested that the House Committee on Institutions address the lack of an internal audit mechanism within the Cypriot Parliament. This initiative follows seven years of delays in implementing oversight structures that were mandated alongside the constitutional amendment of 2019, which granted financial autonomy to the legislature.

Under Article 167 of the Constitution, as amended in 2019, the Parliament's budget is drafted by the President of the House and constitutes a distinct part of the national budget. While the independence was passed unanimously by the legislature at the time, the accompanying requirement to establish an internal control framework remains pending. The MPs argue that such a mechanism is essential to ensure transparency and sound fiscal management, while maintaining the existing external oversight provided by the Audit Office.

The matter is scheduled for discussion at the House Committee on Institutions on Wednesday, September 9. The MPs have requested the presence and cooperation of the Minister of Finance, noting that the establishment of the necessary legislative framework is required to fulfill the constitutional obligation for effective internal control and full financial autonomy.