The Public Service Commission (PSC) is expected to proceed with the appointment of four new permanent General Directors in the public sector by November 15 at the latest.

The selected candidates may fill the four vacant positions of General Director at the Ministries of Justice, Defence, Health, and Labour, although this is not yet certain.

This uncertainty stems from the fact that the Council of Ministers has the institutional authority, during the appointment process, to “reshuffle the deck” — potentially introducing significant transfers and personnel changes within the corps of General Directors across the public service.

The position of General Director at the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy also remains temporarily vacant. However, the Council of Ministers cannot currently fill it, as it is formally held by Theodosis Tsiolas, who serves in an institutional capacity within the European Union.

Mr. Tsiolas, who is currently on unpaid leave, holds the position of General Director in the Office of Lefteris Christoforou, President of the European Court of Auditors in Luxembourg. Upon completion of his EU tenure, he is expected to return to his official duties in Cyprus.

In the meantime, Acting General Director George Komodromou, who serves as Deputy General Director, carries out the responsibilities of the role at the Deputy Ministry.

According to Brief, the shortlist of candidates who successfully passed the new Examination Centre institutional procedure and are now under PSC review reportedly includes, among others, Pinelopi (Poly) Papavasiliou, Secretary to the Council of Ministers, and Liana Toffa, Acting General Director of the General Directorate for the Environment.

According to the Official Gazette of the Republic, several ministries currently have Acting General Directors until the PSC’s final appointments are announced by November 15.

At the Ministry of Defence, Acting General Director is Elikos A. Elias, currently General Director of the Ministry of Interior.

At the Ministry of Interior, the acting role is held by Marina Ioannou-Hasapi, presently General Director of the Ministry of Transport.

At the Ministry of Health, the position is temporarily filled by Elisavet Constantinou as Acting General Director.

At the Ministry of Justice, Emanuella Lambrianidi, currently General Director of the Deputy Ministry of Culture, serves as Acting General Director.

Former Acting General Director at the Ministry of Defence, Anna Aristotelous, has recently returned to her previous duties at the Presidential Office’s Service for Missing Persons and Enclaved Persons.