The discussion on introducing the people’s legislative initiative returns to the House Legal Affairs Committee today, Wednesday. The issue will be examined through two parallel proposals: a private member’s bill submitted by Democratic Party (DIKO) MP Christiana Erotokritou, and a draft bill presented by the Ministry of Finance.

Erotokritou’s bill seeks to establish a legal framework for the people’s legislative initiative, allowing citizens to propose legislation supported by at least 5,000 signatures.

Specifically, the bill grants citizens the right—under defined conditions and requirements—to submit policy proposals to the House of Representatives. These proposals would invite the legislature to enact, amend, or repeal legislation on matters of public interest or benefit, in areas such as the environment, agriculture, energy, health, and social welfare. In doing so, the House of Representatives would be obligated to discuss and/or vote on the submitted proposal.

The bill submitted by the Ministry of Finance, following authorisation by the Minister, outlines the procedural framework for managing citizen initiatives.

First, the government is required to provide a detailed and well-reasoned response to the 500 citizens who initially supported the proposal, indicating what actions it has taken in relation to the initiative. Second, the government must organise an expanded public discussion, involving the organisers, independent officials, representatives of organised groups, and other relevant individuals or entities. The purpose is to thoroughly examine the citizen initiative and present a reasoned action plan outlining the government’s intended response to proposals backed by 5,000 signatories.

The Office of the Commissioner for the Citizen has been designated as the competent authority for overseeing the process. The draft bill has been made available for public consultation.

Speaking to OffsiteNews, MP Christiana Erotokritou explained that once 5,000 signatures are gathered in support of a proposal, it would be forwarded to the services of the House for screening regarding its constitutionality and legality. If it passes this review, the proposal would be promoted to a political party or MP and then discussed by the relevant parliamentary committee. The origin of the proposal, she stressed, would be the citizens themselves. Erotokritou noted that she first submitted the proposal in 2016.