Independent officials and the rule of law
The Constitution of Cyprus provides that the independent state officials – Attorney General, Auditor General, Governor of the Central Bank, as well as their deputies – are jointly appointed by the President and the Vice President of the Republic.
This necessary bi-communal contribution ensured the required highest professional and moral standard of these persons. Since 1964, based on the law of necessity, these appointments are made by the President of the Republic, without any control.
Volt believes that this unchecked power undermines the rule of law and creates a serious risk of power abuse and corruption.
Until a solution of the Cyprus problem is finalized, we propose:
Enactment of a law, based on the law of necessity, to replace the checks and balances ensured by the Vice President with the need to approve any appointment by an enhanced majority of 2/3 of the members of the House of Representatives.
Amendment of article 113 of the Constitution, in order to separate the role of the public prosecutor from that of the legal advisor of the executive power, both roles currently concentrated in the person of the Attorney General.