Cyprus Parliament approves legislative amendment for desalination projects amid criticism of Minister of Agriculture

The Cypriot Parliament passed a legislative amendment to the Fiscal Responsibility and Fiscal Framework Law with 23 votes in favor, 2 against, and 14 abstentions. This change grants a temporary exemption from standard procedures for desalination projects slated for completion within the current year, extending the possibility of deviations until the end of 2026. During the plenary session, opposition MPs from DISY and AKEL heavily criticized the Minister of Agriculture, Maria Panayiotou, questioning her performance regarding water management, foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks, and summer wildfires. Critics, including MP Irene Charalambidou, accused the minister of failing to act in a timely manner, forcing the state to bypass required studies and oversight. Some lawmakers demanded the minister's resignation and criticized President Christodoulides for his recent response to these calls. The legislation is intended to address the urgent need for potable water and ensure the sufficiency of national water resources. The debate highlighted concerns over the lack of a holistic policy in managing the country's water crisis.