Dialogos

Delays in Staffing of Nicosia and Limassol Local Authorities Impact Development and Programs

Published January 2, 2026, 09:02
Delays in Staffing of Nicosia and Limassol Local Authorities Impact Development and Programs

The Local Authorities of Nicosia and Limassol are facing significant delays in staffing, which, according to the Presidents of the Organizations, are due to interventions and impositions from the central government. Specifically, they were forced to hire a large number of high-ranking employees and create an inefficient structure, which financially burdens the organizations. The President of the Limassol Local Authority, Yannis Tsouloftas, stated that the approval of the structure and budget of the job positions was delayed for a whole year, while the budget of the Limassol Local Authority, submitted in October, remains unanswered, resulting in operation without a budget. The President of the Nicosia Local Authority, Konstantinos Giorkatzis, confirmed the delays, but noted that his organization has almost completed the hiring process. He also requested a small extension for the completion of the training of the new staff, taking into account the increased responsibilities that have been added. These delays negatively affect the development and implementation of programs of the Local Authorities, creating uncertainty and difficulties in their operation. The Presidents of the Organizations call on the central government to reconsider its approach and allow the Local Authorities to operate more autonomously and effectively.