Nicosia: President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, has reaffirmed his determination to push ahead with major reforms without taking political cost into account, stressing that economic growth must translate into tangible benefits for citizens. Speaking in an interview with daily newspaper 'Phileleftheros', the President said the government's next major objective is pension reform, with a clear target set for 2026.
According to Cyprus News Agency, President Christodoulides emphasized that the aim is to achieve a significant increase in pensions in 2026, particularly benefiting low-income pensioners. He expressed confidence in the feasibility of this goal, citing internal groundwork and planning as key factors in its achievability.
The President criticized the current minimum pension of around £510 as unacceptable, arguing that such an income is insufficient for a decent living. He attributed the planned reform to the country's robust economic performance and responsible fiscal policy, which he claims enable sustainable strengthening of social policies.
In the interview, Christodoulides outlined five core government priorities: a strong and resilient economy, security-including foreign policy, defense, and migration-reforms, transparency, and accountability, with a focus on combating corruption and enhancing citizens' daily lives through improved healthcare, education, and housing policies.
He highlighted recent parliamentary decisions on education and tax reforms as significant achievements, noting that both passed with strong majorities despite initial doubts about legislative support. Addressing concerns from trade unions, particularly regarding teacher evaluations, he stated that the government remains resolute in its reform agenda aimed at supporting families, the middle class, and young people.
On social spending, Christodoulides noted a 6% increase in social expenditure for 2024-2025, with another 6% planned for 2026. He also mentioned investments in education, with the goal of having all primary schools function as optional full-day schools by 2028, and in healthcare, with more than £126 million allocated for new infrastructure.
The President discussed migration policy, noting a significant reduction in arrivals by over 80% and an increase in returns by more than 60%. He stated that the 'Cyprus model' is currently being discussed at the European level.
Acknowledging ongoing challenges such as high electricity costs, housing, and the cost of living, Christodoulides noted that while inflation in Cyprus is among the lowest in Europe, prices remain high, necessitating measures to enhance purchasing power and reduce basic expenses.
Finally, he mentioned ongoing reforms in institutions like the Legal Service and the Audit Office, as well as efforts to combat organized crime, highlighting systematic investigations into cases where individuals receive a guaranteed minimum income yet own expensive assets.