Cyprus parliament retracts lawmakers' financial disclosures over data privacy violations

On October 20, 2026, the Cypriot Parliament began publishing the 2026 'Pothen Esches' financial disclosures for its members. Out of 56 total deputies, 34 declarations were initially made public, while others remained pending. The documents revealed a wide disparity in wealth, including one lawmaker reporting as little as 10.32 euros in bank assets. Following the publication, it was discovered that the documents inadvertently contained protected information, such as the financial details of spouses and minor children, which are prohibited from public release under existing legislation.

In response to the backlash, the Parliament temporarily removed all declarations from its website to conduct corrections and ensure compliance with the law. The move prompted strong criticism from MP Irene Charalambidou, who formally requested an investigation into how these private records were exposed and demanded accountability from parliamentary leadership. The disclosure process, which is overseen by the Tax Commissioner, remains subject to further review. All members have reportedly submitted their documentation, and the revised, redacted versions are expected to be republished once the administrative errors are rectified by the parliamentary service.