The local elections in Cyprus this year are a web of complexity, with a staggering 3,232 candidates vying for various public offices, including councilors, deputy mayors, and district governors. The restructuring of municipalities and the ambiguous roles of newly elected officials add layers of intricacy, promising a postelection period of challenges and adjustments for the electorate and governing bodies.
Andreas Charalambous and Omiros Pissarides delve into the intricate challenges facing the EU’s economic reform, from slow growth to labor market rigidity and energy dependence on nonEU sources. Cyprus’s economic landscape reveals stability in the short term but longterm concerns, emphasizing the need for urgent reforms and increased investments to align with EU directives.
Mayor Constantinos Yiorkadjis is stepping into a new role to lead the local government in Nicosia, Cyprus, as part of a broader reform effort. With a decade of experience as mayor, Yiorkadjis sees this as a ‘huge challenge’ and an opportunity to bring contemporary standards to administrative processes in the district.
Athena Michaelidou is leading a comprehensive educational reform for the next school year, focusing on creating a modern, inclusive system that develops diverse citizens with democratic values. Key strategies include overhauling secondary education assessment, implementing allday schools, enhancing vocational training, investing in technology, internationalizing higher education, and strengthening early childhood education and international collaboration.
MPs in Cyprus are frustrated with the timing and content of local government reform bills, believing it shows a lack of respect for parliamentary processes. Lastminute submissions and changes raise concerns about the sustainability of municipalities, highlighting the challenge of balancing governance efficiency and fiscal responsibility.
The recent Pisa Report has revealed that Cyprus is below EU averages in key educational areas such as mathematics, science, and reading. In response, proposed reforms include early intervention programs, improved student and teacher evaluations, an extension of preprimary education, and measures to address school bullying and violence, as well as a focus on fostering critical thinking and creativity in curricula.
Cyprus is leading the way in attracting tech talent and reforming citizenship laws by offering citizenship to foreign nationals excelling in research and innovation. This amendment prioritizes intellectual contribution over capital and provides a fasttracked citizenship process, setting high eligibility standards, and promoting integration for a competitive edge in the global tech industry.
