 | Living in Cyprus - The System |
EU Factsheet on the practical aspects of life in Cyprus: Taxes and charges, the cost of living, shopping, the cultural and social life, the educational system and more.
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| The political, administrative and legal system
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The Republic of Cyprus has a presidential system of government. The president is
elected for five years directly by the people in a secret ballot with universal
suffrage. Executive power is exercised by a cabinet of 11 members which is
appointed by the president of the Republic. If the president is temporarily
absent or impeded, the president of the House of Representatives deputises for
him.
Legislative power is exercised by the House of Representatives. The deputies are
elected for five years by universal suffrage via a simple proportional
representation system. The House has 80 deputies, of whom 56 (70%) are elected
by the Greek Community and 24 (30%) by the Turkish Community. Because of the
situation which developed after 1963 and the Turkish invasion of 1974, the seats
of the Turkish-Cypriot community are vacant.
Justice is administered by the High Court of the Republic, the assize courts and
the district courts.
The Central Bank of Cyprus is responsible for shaping and implementing the
monetary and credit policies of the State. The Central Bank also manages the
Republic’s currency reserves, supervises the banks and acts as the
government’s banker and financial representative. Under the Constitution, the
president of the Republic appoints a number of independent officers of state,
such as the Attorney-General (who is the Republic’s legal adviser), the
Auditor-General, the General Comptroller, the Director of the Central Bank and
the Commissioner for Administration.
Power at local government level is exercised by municipal and community councils
and groupings of communities. There are 33 municipalities, nine of which are in
the occupied area, and 485 community councils and groupings of communities, 131
of which are in the occupied area. The municipal councils provide services and
have administrative powers in the cities and in two or three large rural areas
in which municipalities have been established, and the community councils
provide services and have administrative powers in the villages. The councils
are independent bodies, and their members are elected by universal suffrage
every five years.
Information in Greek and English about the political parties, the Constitution,
the legislature and the judicial body, the executive and the ministries can be
found on the Republic’s website. Links to all the websites can be found on
that site.
Other general information.
- As a result of the military invasion of Cyprus in 1974 and the occupation
of 36.2% of the country, the lawful government of the Republic of Cyprus
cannot exercise control over the northern part of the country. On the basis
of the treaty of accession to the European Union, the implementation of the
Community acquis in that zone is suspended pending a settlement of the
political problem.
- The official languages of Cyprus are Greek and Turkish. The majority of
people speak at least one other language, in most cases English.
- As from 1 January 2008 the currency of the Cyprus Republic is the euro
which replaced the Cyprus pound (£) at an exchange rate of €1 = £0.585274.
- The Republic is obliged to provide representation by a lawyer when a
plaintiff or defendant in a court case is unable to afford representation
and an application for legal aid is made (this happens most frequently in
criminal cases).
Text last edited on: 05/2010
Source: European Union
© European Communities, 1995-2010
Reproduction is authorised.
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