The government finds itself amidst a debate regarding the reform of asset declaration requirements for politicians and public officials.
Recent parliamentary discussions have revealed a divergence in opinion, with some proposals raising concerns about a potential weakening of existing accountability mechanisms.
The deliberation of two bills in Parliament concerning asset declarations by Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) has garnered attention from the Presidential Palace due to its potentially detrimental impact, which is expected to cause further EU scrutiny.
Phileleftheros has obtained a letter sent by the Office of the President to the House Institutions Committee regarding the issue.
Through the letter, Deputy Minister to the President Irene Piki highlighted potential inconsistencies between the proposed revisions on the bills and the recommendations outlined by the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) of the Council of Europe.
GRECO’s recommendations advocate for a more robust asset declaration system. They emphasise the need for increased detail in declarations, a shift towards electronic submission for enhanced verification, and the inclusion of a wider range of officials who must disclose the “origin of wealth.”
Furthermore, Piki’s letter underscored the importance of establishing effective mechanisms to ensure the veracity of submitted information and the timely filing of declarations.
The Deputy Minister’s letter was not an isolated incident. Committee Chair and DISY MP Demetris Demetriou as well as AKEL MP Eirini Charalambidou have also advocated for stricter checks.
In statements to Phileleftheros, Demetriou argued for the publication of comprehensive asset declarations for Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) and their families. His proposal entails a system where the Tax Commissioner assumes a central role in verifying the accuracy of the submitted information.
On her part, Charalambidou suggests the inclusion of mandatory audited statements for officials, verification by the Tax Commissioner, and the mandatory declaration of assets by spouses and minor children of PEPs, in the relevant bills.
