Cyprus House of Representatives passes parliamentary procedural reforms

The Cyprus House of Representatives has approved a comprehensive revision of its parliamentary regulations with a vote of 39 in favor, 8 against, and 4 abstentions. A key change introduces a two-round system for electing the Speaker of the House, requiring an absolute majority in the first round and a simple majority in the second, with a public draw as a tie-breaker. Nominations must be made by a fellow MP, and only affirmative votes are recorded during the open, named voting process. If the most senior MP is a candidate, the chair passes to the next in seniority. The reform also allows for the advance designation of a substitute Speaker when the incumbent is acting as President or is abroad. Furthermore, committee sessions may now be live-streamed during discussions of own-motion matters and bills in principle, subject to the Speaker's approval and a majority vote from committee members. Finally, the new rules clarify procedures for managing pending legislative business at the beginning of each parliamentary term.