3 July 2025 - Volt supports the separation of powers of the Attorney General
Volt, as a matter of principle, welcomes and will support the bill submitted for the separation of powers of the Attorney General. We believe that it is paradoxical in a modern state for the same person to be both the legal advisor to the government and responsible for criminal prosecutions. The first role requires close consultation with the respective executive branch, whilst the second requires complete independence.
However, we believe that there are points that could have been designed better and more rationally. Specifically, Volt recommends:
Immediate implementation of the reform, instead of waiting for the retirement of existing officials. Since this is an amendment to the Constitution, there is no question of unconstitutionality.
The positions of assistant state officials should remain vacant until the Cyprus problem is resolved. There is no reason to appoint people to these positions, other than the unnecessary favoritism of individuals at the expense of the taxpayer.
Finally, Volt reiterates its suggestion that – until the Cyprus problem is resolved, all appointments that should normally be made by the President and the Vice President jointly, should be subject to the approval of the Parliament with a qualified 2/3 majority, so as to reintroduce safeguards and avoid the obviously inappropriate appointments that we have witnessed in previous years.
The progress of the reform for the separation of powers of the Prosecutor General constitutes an important step in strengthening the rule of law. The Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General, in protection of the very institution they serve, could facilitate the implementation of the reform by resigning and put an end to the controversy surrounding their person, due to the conflict of interest arising from their tenure in the Anastasiades government.