Cyprus House committee reviews transparency concerns over former officials' private employment

The House Institutions Committee met to discuss transparency and conflicts of interest regarding former state officials entering the private sector. During the session, it was revealed that former Energy Minister Giorgos Lakkotrypis submitted 12 applications for private employment, with 10 approved and two withdrawn. Independent criminal investigator Andreas Paschalides has requested data from the licensing committee concerning Lakkotrypis as part of a corruption probe. This investigation follows a leaked video allegedly showing Lakkotrypis interacting with a shell company called Stratix Wealth. MPs Alexandra Attalidou and Irene Charalambidou criticized the licensing process, claiming the Ministry of Energy conducts only superficial checks on applicants. The head of the licensing committee, Yianna Chatzichanna, confirmed that evidence has already been provided to the criminal investigation team. Separately, the government proposed moving the Independent Social Support Agency under the Ministry of Finance to increase oversight following a funding scandal. Additionally, MP Nikos Georgiou proposed a law to cap annual contributions to the fund at 50,000 euros to prevent undue influence.