The Cyprus government plans to submit legislation by October that will grant investigative powers to the Anti-Corruption Authority, marking a major overhaul of its capabilities. The move was confirmed by Giorgos Panteli, permanent secretary of the justice ministry, during a parliamentary legal affairs committee meeting. Currently, the authority can only handle complaints without criminal investigative powers, limiting its effectiveness.

Two legislative proposals are being debated in parliament: the ruling Disy party’s proposal would have investigators appointed from a vetted list approved by the attorney-general, while opposition movement Alma advocates for the authority to directly appoint investigators to maintain independence. The authority’s chairman, Haris Poyiatzis, backs the Alma proposal and stresses the need for self-controlled investigations to avoid compromising autonomy.

Poyiatzis also highlighted chronic understaffing, with only 16 employees and just one permanent staff member. Since its establishment in 2022, the authority has received 849 complaints, with many cases pending. Legal officials encourage a comprehensive government bill rather than piecemeal amendments to improve the agency's function.