**Title: President Christodoulides Donates Pension to Support Elderly Care in Foini**
**Foini, Cyprus** – President Nikos Christodoulides has made a notable contribution to the community of Foini in the Troodos region by donating his monthly pension of €730 to a care home dedicated to the elderly and disabled. This donation corresponds to the pension he receives for his 18 years of service as a diplomat at the foreign ministry and specifically pertains to his payment for September.
The residents, staff, and village council of Foini expressed their gratitude towards Christodoulides, characterizing his donation as “a practical expression of love and respect.” This act of generosity highlights the president's commitment to supporting vulnerable populations within the community.
This initiative is part of a broader arrangement established under the pension waiver option law enacted last year, which allows state officials receiving pensions from previous public service roles to waive those payments while they are in office. Following this law, Christodoulides has reached out to six councils across Cyprus, informing them that his monthly pension will be allocated to various facilities that provide accommodation and care for elderly individuals over the next year.
The president's plan involves distributing the €730 monthly payment among different institutions, ensuring that each facility benefits from his pension during his tenure as president. This decision comes in response to criticism regarding his continued receipt of a civil servant pension while serving in the highest office of the country. In August of last year, Christodoulides announced his intention to donate his state pension to charitable organizations that focus on the care of the elderly.
In conjunction with his announcement, the Cypriot parliament passed legislation allowing public officials to formally waive their pension payments while in office. The changes were seen as a step towards improving the pension system, although former accountant-general Andreas Antoniades noted that they did not rectify all existing issues within the framework.
Currently, President Christodoulides receives a gross monthly salary of €14,401, with a take-home pay of €9,145, according to treasury figures. His decision to donate his pension reflects a commitment to public service and community welfare, aligning with his administration’s focus on supporting the needs of the elderly and disabled in Cyprus.
As the president continues to implement his plan, local councils and care facilities are expected to benefit from this initiative, fostering a spirit of community support and care for those in need.