Presentation by the President of the Republic, Mr Nicos Anastasiades, - PDF document

Presentation by the President of the Republic, Mr Nicos Anastasiades, of the Government measures for the modernization of institutions and of the state 29/04/2013 It has been my pre ‐ election statement that we need a new state model that meets requirements of the new era. Today, as President of the Republic, having the responsibility for the reorganization of the economy and the regaining of the trust of citizens towards politics, I find out that not only it is needed but it is imperative to reorganize and modernize the state. It is equally imperative to reinstate the trust towards institutions and even more so to reinstate the trust of citizens towards politicians. Concepts like meritocracy, virtuous administration, the responsibility of politicians, the obligations of the state towards its citizens, which have been, until recently, declarations devoid of sense, are today, due to the consequences of the economic crisis, a national necessity. Pathogeneses that have been piled up over the last 50 years, and for which all of us bear the responsibility, not only contribute to stagnation but also promote and multiply the problems. They promote bureaucracy and non ‐ transparency. They lead to violation of the rules of virtuous administration, to non ‐ meritocracy, collusion and corruption. They have created a state that gives the citizens a hard time instead of serving them. A state that, despite the high cost for its sustenance, cannot provide the wide range and quality of services a modern European state should offer. Part of the just criticism of the citizens towards politicians is that they are not being honest with the people and that they forget their promises the moment they reach their election goals. With today’s announcements, as well as with all other measures to be taken in due course, I wish not only to belie the rule but also to fulfil each and every pre ‐ election commitment on my part. I also wish to belie those who, invoking the Eurogroup decisions, accuse me of not keeping my pre ‐ election commitments. I understand the criticism against me, but at the same time, I call on all to think of the conditions under which a leader in front of the dilemma chooses to take unpleasant but beneficial decisions for the country, instead of choosing to appear likeable to the people. I would to like to reassure the citizens of my and my Government’s determination to live up to the expectations of society for a new bold beginning.

Despite the pressing conditions we have been going through since our first day in power, we did not fail to focus our attention on all other policy aspects, as depicted in our election manifesto. Today’s announcements are proposals which have been laid down in bills or were the object of the Ministerial Council’s decisions. In the effort for reconstruction and modernization I consider as a major priority the political responsibility and accountability of all those who are elected or assume any public office. Within this framework we have decided the following: 1. Through a proposal amending the Constitution the offences for which the President of the Republic may be legally prosecuted are precisely determined and expanded. 2. Through a constitutional amendment the full freedom of speech and the full freedom to exercise the right to vote of the Members of Parliament in exercising their legislative duties are safeguarded. Their immunity, though, against all kinds of offences is revoked. 3. The liabilities emanating from the criminal and civil law of Ministers and independent officials for offences or omissions in exercising their duties are regulated by law. 4. The list of inspected Government officials is expanded and through a constitutional amendment they are obliged to publicize their assets at fixed times. 5. For the purpose of monitoring the legitimacy of statements a Special Auditors Committee is set up, which will look into and publish a report of any violations of good administration or misstatements. 6. The Parliament has passed a law after a Government’s proposal that the unanimous findings of the investigation committees be binding towards the state official under investigation. Namely, the statement ″ I assume my poli � cal responsibilities ″ is not enough. 7. Through another Government proposal which has been accepted by the House of Representatives, the Attorney General, besides the Ministerial Council, is granted the right to appoint criminal investigators.

Implementation of good administration and anti ‐ corruption regulations Pertinent to the above are also matters regarding good administration and transparency regulations for which the following decisions were taken: 1. The establishment of the obligation that the decisions taken by any Authority of the public or wider public sector to award contracts be not only fully justified, but also publicized. 2. Audit Committees are being set up for each Ministry in order to monitor and implement any complaints or comments noted in the Annual Report of the Audit Office of the Republic. 3. Through the amendment of the relevant legislation, the obligation of the audited Ministries and organizations of the public and semi ‐ public sector is set to submit to the Parliament a detailed report of compliance and implementation of complaints or remarks of the Audit Office, together with the submission of their annual budgets. Equivalent measures will be implemented in Municipalities and Communities, which are obliged to comply with the recommendations of the Audit Office. In the case of non ‐ compliance, measures will be taken against them. 4. Through the amendment of the relevant legislation, the keeping of detailed minutes of meetings of every Authority or Body of the public or wider public sector which takes administrative decisions, is made obligatory. The decisions will be publicised at the website of every Authority or Body in order to give the public a monitoring ability. There is an exemption from the above obligation for decisions which refer to national security, defense and international relations, are of a classified nature or relate to personal data. 5. The legislation regarding the competence of the Commissioner of Administration (Ombudsman) is amended and his/her role is reinforced by giving him/her the ability of mediation with the competent departments, aiming at the departments’ compliance with the findings of the Commissioner’s Office. At the same time the Commissioner is given the authority, in the case of refusal of a competent body to comply, to submit a report to the Council of Ministers and publicise its content. 6. The civil and penal responsibilities of public officers for damages caused by inexcusable carelessness or fraudulent behaviours which constitute collusion or breaking of the state laws are set.

Combatting of collusion and established bad practice In order to contribute to the renewal of political life and to combat every occurrence of collusion that is often created by a long stay at a position, it has been decided that: By amendment of the provisions of the Constitution and the relevant legislation: 1. The term in office of the President of the Republic for more than two consecutive terms constitutes a hindrance for rerunning for the post. The same hindrance applies for those that by election exercise executive authority, such as Mayors and Community Council Heads. 2. With the same legislative regulations the term in office of members of Parliament and Municipal and Community Counsellors is limited to three consecutive terms. Meritocracy ‐ Equality of civil rights One of the pathogeneses of the political system, which contributed to the indignation of citizens towards politicians, is the unreliability of the system of appointing, promoting and generally taking full advantage of officers of the public and wider public sector. It would really be a lack of respect towards the citizens if we denied what was brought about because of the intervention of the political parties, what highlight today, through the economic crisis as well, how damaging was the creation of an overgrown public sector, based moreover not on worthiness but the relationship with and, in essence, the dependence on each Government and the parties supporting them of those appointed. To suppress this phenomenon, we have decided the institutionalisation of strict criteria that will safeguard the giving of priority to worthiness and not partisan access. Within this framework, from now on, the following are in effect: 1. In order to fill any permanent position in the public or semi ‐ public sector, the following will be taken into consideration:  The success grade in written exams which must safeguard the anonymity of the examinee.  The academic qualifications and relevant degrees.