House of Representatives (Cyprus)

The House of Representatives of Cyprus (Greek Βουλή των Αντιπροσώπων; Vouli ton Antiprosópon ) is the parliament of the Republic of Cyprus.

Of the 80 mandates of the deputies accounts for 56 seats among Greek-speaking and 24 Turkish-speaking Cypriots. The latter mandates remain vacant since the events of 1963/1964. Elections take place every five years. The 56 seats are elected by proportional representation method in six constituencies. There is a statutory duty to vote. The religious groups Armenians, Latins and Maronites each appoint an elected representative in the House of Representatives, who shall not vote, but otherwise has all the rights of Members.

There is no confidence vote. The Cypriot MPs control the government, therefore, on the way the budget legislation, and through inquiries with which public opinion can be enforced.

Parties

Since the general election in Cyprus in 2011 six parties are represented in the Cypriot Parliament:

Seats by district in the Republic of Cyprus (2008 )

General

Head of state and head of government since February 28 2013 Nikos Anastasiadis ( Democratic Rally, christian democratic- conservative party ). He was elected on 24 February 2013, the second ballot with 57.5 percent of the vote.

In Cyprus, the presidential elections ( next election in February 2018) is of great importance. The president is elected by direct popular vote and appoints the Ministers ( these may not belong to the Parliament ).

The House of Representatives is elected in general elections on the basis of proportional representation. A party must reach at least 1/ 56 of the valid votes cast in order to collect at least one deputy in parliament can.

The Cypriot House of Representatives voted on June 2, 2011 the Chairman of the EDEK ( socialists ), Yiannakis Omirou, with the votes of the then opposition ( Democratic Rally, EDEK, EVROKO and a DIKO dissenter ) as its new president.