Political parties on Tuesday welcomed the appointment of new Auditor-General Andreas Papaconstantinou’s although they warned about the circumstances he would have to work under.
After a tumultuous couple of days surrounding the appointment of a new auditor-general, Disy said it was of great importance to take actions pre-emptively so as to avoid “unnecessary crises.”
“The entire issue should not have reached this point.”
The party added it was ready to contribute to reforms that would set in stone transparency in the office and strengthen its independence.
Akel wished Papaconstantinou luck, though it sought to stress “the audit office will now be called on to operate within the restrictive framework placed by the Supreme Constitutional Court’s decision.”
Nonetheless, it called on the new auditor-general not to go easy on anyone – including the president that appointed him.
Diko wished Papaconstantinou every success as it called the work he has been appointed to do extremely important for transparency and accountability.
The Green party said the new auditor-general “is starting his appointment with the worst possible prospects,” as he will be called on to take part in the government-proposed reforms of the audit office.
Under Michaelides, the audit office charged the proposals were an attempt to stifle the reports of the office and labelled them a gag order which had not been discussed.
