Cyprus parliament speaker re-elected for 2nd term

NICOSIA, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Annita Demetriou, leader of the Democratic Rally (DISY), was re-elected speaker of Cyprus' House of Representatives on Thursday, securing 29 votes in the newly elected 56-member parliament.

Demetriou won the second-round vote with the backing of her own party, as well as the Democratic Party (DIKO) and Direct Democracy Cyprus. Her opponent, Progressive Party of Working People (AKEL) leader Stefanos Stefanou, received 19 votes, according to the Cyprus Mail.

In 2021, Demetriou was elected as the first woman to hold the position. Thursday's vote extended her role as the speaker for a second consecutive term during the first session of the new parliament following last month's parliamentary elections.

Addressing lawmakers after the vote, Demetriou pledged to uphold the constitution, laws and parliamentary procedures during her second term, saying that she would work to ensure equal participation for all lawmakers, strengthen transparency and public engagement in parliamentary affairs, and enhance the parliament's role both domestically and internationally.

Demetriou also called on lawmakers to work together to maintain public trust in democratic institutions and address issues of concern to citizens, including the cost of living, housing, energy, healthcare and education. Enditem