**Party Leaders to Hold First Meeting of New Parliament**
The newly elected House of Representatives in Cyprus is set to convene for its first meeting at noon on Tuesday, chaired by House President Annita Demetriou. This gathering marks the commencement of the new parliamentary term, coming shortly after the formation of the legislature and Demetriou’s recent re-election as the speaker of the House.
The meeting is poised to address several procedural matters essential for the effective functioning of the new parliament. Key topics on the agenda include the establishment of parliamentary committees and the procedural steps necessary for the new legislative session to begin smoothly.
A significant focus of the discussions will be the allocation of committee chairmanships. Following the election of the Selection Committee, which is scheduled for Thursday’s plenary session, the distribution of these positions is expected to be a contentious issue. Behind-the-scenes negotiations among political parties have already begun, reflecting differing views on how committee chairmanships should be allocated.
Parties with parliamentary groups consisting of at least eight Members of Parliament (MPs) argue that, according to the rules of the House and the Constitution, they should primarily receive the committee chair positions. Conversely, smaller parties, represented by four MPs, have pointed to precedents set in previous parliamentary terms where chairmanships were also awarded to parties that did not meet the threshold for parliamentary group status.
As the meeting unfolds at the House of Representatives, party leaders are anticipated to articulate their initial positions regarding the allocation of parliamentary offices and the overall readiness for the new legislative session. The outcome of this meeting and subsequent negotiations will play a crucial role in shaping the operational dynamics of the new parliament in Cyprus.