Cyprus falls behind in citizen engagement with parliament

Despite joining the European Union in 2004, Cypriots still have few opportunities to actively participate in parliamentary processes compared with other European citizens.

While the House of Representatives publishes agendas, draft laws and voting records and streams sessions publicly, experiential engagement is minimal. Citizens can visit parliament and attend plenary sessions, and educational visits allow students to learn about parliamentary work and committees, but interactive workshops or opportunities to debate are quite limited.

The more formal appearance of the Cyprus parliament

“It is not an impenetrable space,” Disy MP Demetris Demetriou, chairman of the House institutions committee and the commissioner of administration, told the Cyprus Mail. Yet he acknowledged that physical limitations restrict larger-scale initiatives.

“Perhaps in another building, you could have a cafe or exhibition space; the current areas are very limited.”

Across the European Union, the public can initiate legislation through the European citizens’ initiative, petition parliament and engage through interactive visitor centres and educational exhibits, such as those at the Parlamentarium in Brussels. Yet turnout is low, below 51 per cent in 2019, and critics highlight a persistent “democratic deficit”,