Tense Moments and Profanities Mark Passage of Controversial Bill in the Early Hours

The General Assembly, which passed a total of eight pieces of legislation during the session, concluded its work at around 3:20 a.m.

Following a break, the Assembly reconvened and first approved a motion to proceed with the article-by-article discussion of the Games of Chance (Amendment) Bill. After the detailed review, the bill was passed by majority vote.

Seven Other Bills Also Passed

Next on the agenda was the “Law on the Department of Treasury, Exchange and Development Fund Affairs (Establishment, Duties and Operating Principles)”, which was introduced by Sunat Atun, Chair of the Administrative, Public and Health Affairs Committee. The bill was passed unanimously after an article-by-article review.

The Assembly then turned to the “Traffic Department (Establishment, Duties and Operating Principles) (Amendment) Bill,” which also passed unanimously following its detailed review.

Further bills concerning professional associations were then discussed and unanimously approved after clause-by-clause evaluations. These included:

• The Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Industry (Amendment) Bill

• The Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Tradesmen and Craftsmen (Amendment) Bill

• The Cyprus Turkish Construction Subcontractors Association (Amendment) Bill

• The Cyprus Turkish Building Contractors Association (Amendment) Bill

Additionally, motions for expedited consideration in committee were approved unanimously for two draft laws: the “Elections and Referenda (Amendment) Bill” and the “Criminal Record Expungement Bill,” both currently on the agenda of the Legal, Political, Foreign Relations, and Defense Committee.

The third reading of the “Income Tax (Amendment) Bill” followed and was passed with 26 votes in favour.

Lastly, a motion for the expedited review in committee of the “Home Ownership (Amendment) Bill” was unanimously approved by the Assembly.