House president pledges to support civil society

Suggestions made by the second session of the parallel parliament for civil society will be taken on board by MPs when the House reconvenes after the summer, House President Demetris Syllouris said on Tuesday.

“As the new session of parliament begins in September, the promotion of your decisions and suggestions are set to take place,” Syllouris said.

The House of Representatives decided to create the parallel parliament in May, as it aims to reach out and engage with more sectors of society.

It was imperative, Syllouris said, that MPs not only carry out legislative work and parliamentary activities, but also listen to the problems of their constituents on an organised basis and to ensure there was a permanent dialogue with them.

Such an institution would increase the participation of people in political life who are now mere spectators, the House president said.

The parallel parliament for civil society has set up four committees which focus on the individual.

“The value of expression, reason and critical thinking are invaluable at all times, but especially at a time when the world is undergoing a humanitarian crisis,” Syllouris said.

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.