Legislative debate begins on reforming Cyprus civil protection system

On October 8, 2026, the Parliamentary Committee on Interior Affairs in Cyprus commenced discussions on government-proposed legislation to restructure the national civil protection framework. The bills aim to rename the Ministry of Interior to the 'Ministry of Interior and Civil Protection' and establish a National Civil Protection Mechanism, a centralized system designed to coordinate responses to natural and human-made disasters. This move follows a Cabinet decision from June 4, 2025, intended to improve efficiency after lessons learned from major wildfires in Solea, Arakapas, and mountainous Limassol.

The reform plans include creating a General Directorate for Civil Protection and appointing a National Coordinator to mobilize state services during emergencies. While the Ministry of Interior argues this will provide a cohesive structure, the proposal faces opposition from the Ministry of Defence and the National Guard. These agencies suggest that a centralized mechanism should encompass all types of crises, including cyber-attacks and wartime threats, and should report directly to the Council of Ministers rather than to the Ministry of Interior. Furthermore, discussions are ongoing regarding the potential transfer of responsibilities, though the Forestry Department is reportedly excluded from the new structural integration. The government intends to resolve these inter-departmental disagreements through consultations involving the President of the Republic.