After the elections in Cyprus, the protection of new party leaders is being discussed

After the completion of the parliamentary elections in Cyprus, one of the topics under discussion has been the security of the new political forces that entered parliament for the first time. This concerns the possible provision of police protection for the leaders of the ALMA movement, Odysseas Michaelides, and the party “Direct Democracy” of MEP Fideas Panayiotou.

According to philenews, the Police Security Committee has not yet held a meeting on this issue, but it is expected to take place in the near future. Following the risk assessment, the committee must submit recommendations to the Minister of Justice.

At present, the leaders of all traditional parties represented in parliament have police protection. The DISY chairman receives an escort as the head of parliament and the party, and protection has also been provided to the leaders of AKEL, DIKO and ELAM. Former Speaker of the Parliament and DIPA leader Marios Karoyian retains protection despite the party’s failure to enter parliament.

Police protection also remains in place for EDEK chairman Nikos Anastasiou, although the party was unable to win seats in the new parliamentary term. For the “Ecologists’ Movement,” an alternative scheme had previously been agreed — compensation for driver expenses instead of permanent protection.

According to sources, the issue of providing protection to Odysseas Michaelides is being considered primarily from a practical point of view. As for Fideas Panayiotou, who spends a significant part of his time in Brussels, the final decision will depend on the results of the threat assessment and the politician’s personal position.

It is also possible that the committee will carry out an additional check of party offices and the security infrastructure of the new political movements.