Local government reform in Cyprus is criticized for poor planning and excessive administrative roles, with 20 mayors, 93 deputies, and ‘super mayors’ for a population of one million. Expert Charalambos Koutalakis warns of deteriorating services and inefficiency if action is not taken soon to streamline the restructuring process.
What are the concerns regarding local government reform in Cyprus?
Local government reform in Cyprus faces criticism for poor planning and a lack of active involvement by the interior ministry. Despite recommendations for a maximum of 30 mayors, the plan proposes 20 mayors, 93 deputies, and district ‘super mayors’ for a population of one million, a number seen as excessive compared to other European cities like Berlin. The reform’s potential risks include deteriorating services and inefficient administrative structures.
The State of Local Government Reform in Cyprus
Huge gaps in planning and a lack of robust participation by the interior ministry bode ill for Cyprus’ implementation of local government reform. This is according to Charalambos Koutalakis, a Berlin-based consultant with experience of the matter in 28 countries. Speaking to state broadcaster CyBC on Wednesday, Koutalakis expressed concerns that time is running out for Cyprus to secure at least some basics for the restructuring process.
The independent researcher, who had been commissioned in 2019 to carry out a study to determine the country’s administrative needs, had recommended a total of 30 mayors (including deputies) as the maximum required for the island’s one million-strong population. This contrasts with a previous study by British and Italian researchers that suggested five to ten mayors could suffice for enhanced efficiency and savings.
Administrative Overhaul and Financial Implications
Under the planned system, Cyprus is to establish 20 mayors and 93 deputy mayors, along with an elected ‘super mayor’ for each of the five administrative district organizations. These organizations are set to oversee the newly consolidated municipalities. The salaries for these administrative roles are substantial, with ‘big’ municipality mayors earning an annual salary of €77,000, district heads on €80,000, and deputy mayors receiving between €717 and €2,987 per month.
For comparison, Koutalakis points to Berlin, which has a population of 4 million and functions efficiently with only 12 mayors. He argues that the current plan for Cyprus, with its multiple layers of administrators, is disproportionate to the size of the island, leading to bloated numbers of administrative heads whose utility is questionable.
Technocratic Challenges Ahead
Koutalakis criticized the lack of preparation and the ministry of interior’s hands-off approach. He stated that in no EU state has the ministry taken just a ‘supportive role’ and expected the mayors to figure out the reform process on their own. Instead, he suggests that the ministry should take a proactive role in leading the restructure, from organizing financing (potentially from resilience and recovery funds) to designing protocols, providing training, and hiring teams of technocrats or consultants if needed.
The risks of not adequately planning and implementing the reforms are significant. Koutalakis warns of worsening services, such as rubbish collection, water supply, and sewerage. He stresses the difficulty and time required to analyze service operations, such as garbage collection systems, especially for larger consolidated areas.
A Call for Immediate Action and International Examples
Lamenting the lost time since the reform was voted in one-and-a-half years ago, Koutalakis urges the state to focus on securing the basics for a semi-successful or at least non-disastrous restructure. He suggests that Cyprus might consider adopting strategies from other similarly sized countries that have undergone local government reform, as this is a common phenomenon across Europe.
Koutalakis emphasizes that expecting current mayors to conduct and oversee the complex analysis of reordering personnel and services is impractical. With their existing responsibilities, these municipal administrators often lack the expertise and time for such organizational restructures.
The message is clear: Cyprus must promptly address the planning gaps and engage more robustly in the process to avoid potentially dire consequences for local services. The experience of other European countries could serve as a valuable blueprint for the island’s path forward.
What are the concerns regarding local government reform in Cyprus?
Local government reform in Cyprus faces criticism for poor planning and a lack of active involvement by the interior ministry. Despite recommendations for a maximum of 30 mayors, the plan proposes 20 mayors, 93 deputies, and district ‘super mayors’ for a population of one million, a number seen as excessive compared to other European cities like Berlin. The reform’s potential risks include deteriorating services and inefficient administrative structures.
What is the current state of local government reform in Cyprus?
Local government reform in Cyprus is currently facing challenges due to a lack of robust participation by the interior ministry and significant gaps in planning. The proposed system includes 20 mayors, 93 deputy mayors, and district ‘super mayors’ for a population of one million. The financial implications are also substantial, with high salaries for administrative roles compared to other European cities.
What are the technocratic challenges ahead for local government reform in Cyprus?
There are significant technocratic challenges ahead for local government reform in Cyprus, including the lack of preparation and hands-off approach by the interior ministry. Expert Charalambos Koutalakis suggests that the ministry should take a proactive role in leading the restructuring process, providing support in financing, designing protocols, training, and hiring technocrats or consultants if needed.
What action is needed to address the concerns and challenges of local government reform in Cyprus?
To address the concerns and challenges of local government reform in Cyprus, immediate action is needed to secure the basics for a semi-successful or at least non-disastrous restructure. Expert Charalambos Koutalakis recommends looking to international examples of similarly sized countries that have undergone successful local government reform. The interior ministry should take a more active role in the process to avoid potential negative consequences for local services.
