A fresh initiative with political parties was launched in Cyprus aiming at pushing through the reform of local authorities by 2021, a matter discussed for years without any results. A round of talks with parties is planned and soon there will be specific proposals for reform in this field. The timeframe is the next local elections in 2021. The large number of authorities hindered regulation, effectiveness, and proper provision of services. Cyprus, with a population of one million, has around 370 local administration entities (municipalities and communities).
Larnaca Mayor Andreas Vyras, who also chairs the union of municipalities, agreed that the current system precluded them from becoming modern organisations or establish effective internal audit departments. “We firmly believe that the current model of local administration cannot continue,” Vyras said.
