OCCUPIED MUNICIPALITIES IN CYPRUS”
The Municipality Law was established by the Parliament in 1985. According to this Law, any community can become a Municipality following a local referendum and the approval of the Government on condition that its population exceeds 5000 people or that it can financially afford to function as a Municipality.
After the Turkish invasion of 1974 and the fact that the northern part of Cyprus was occupied by Turkey, nine Municipalities seized to exert their usual municipal authorities and responsibilities although they have maintained their legal status in the free areas of the Republic, where they are temporarily based.
The Mayor is elected directly by the citizens for a 5-year tenure in office and constitutes the executive authority of the Municipality. The Mayor represents the Municipality before any Authority of the Republic and presides meetings of the City Council, the administrative committee and of any other Municipal Committee. Moreover, the Mayor executes the Council’s decisions and heads all Municipal Services through guidance, direction and control.
The City Council is elected via public vote for a period of five years. The Council appoints an administrative committee comprising of City Council members and its duties include the preparation of the Municipality’s budgets, the annual report and accounts, provision of assistance and advice to the Mayor while the latter exercises the Mayor’s authorities and duties, project coordination of the various committees appointed by the Council and the execution of any other duties assigned to it by the Council or the Mayor. In addition, the Council has the right to appoint temporary or permanent committees of consulting nature.
The Law also specifies the municipal service senior positions which include the position of the municipal secretary, the municipal engineer, the municipal cashier and the municipal doctor. Additional positions can be approved where necessary.
The City Council has the power to promote, according to its financial abilities, several other sectors and activities such as arts, education, sports and social services.
The annual Municipal budgets must be submitted for approval to the Council of Ministers through the District Officer and their accounts are subject to annual audit by the Auditor General of the Republic.
For further information regarding the occupied Municipalities of Cyprus, click here.