Cyprus Parliament Passes Landmark Citizens’ Initiative Laws

The House of Representatives has approved two landmark laws establishing formal citizens’ initiative mechanisms toward both Parliament and the executive branch, marking a major step forward for participatory democracy in Cyprus.

The new framework, introduced through Laws 88(I)/2026 and 89(I)/2026, allows citizens to submit legislative and policy proposals through structured procedures requiring verified public support across Cyprus.

The process of updating and refining the legislative framework was coordinated by George Isaia, Founder of PolicyLab and Advisor to the Commissioner for the Citizen, in close cooperation with the Office of the Commissioner for the Citizen and key institutional stakeholders. The process included consultations with public authorities, legal experts, and civil society representatives to ensure alignment with European democratic standards and best practices.

The legislation is expected to strengthen civic participation, institutional transparency, and public trust in democratic processes.