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Cyprus Labor Committee Demands Overhaul Of Child Benefit Legislation

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 25, 2025

Government Under Scrutiny Over Social Exclusions

The House Labor Committee has renewed its call for a comprehensive revision of the child benefit legislation, urging both the government and the Sub-Ministry of Welfare to reform the existing framework. This initiative follows concerns voiced by the Child Rights Protection Inspector, who highlighted key flaws in the current system. Specifically, the residency requirement confined to designated zones in the Republic of Cyprus is effectively excluding many families from receiving critical social benefits.

Inadequate Policies Under Fire

Committee Chair and AKEL MP Andreas Kavkaliás criticized the prevailing legal structure, asserting that it fosters social exclusion by denying families access to benefits closely tied to child welfare—ranging from tuition support to various service discounts. According to Kavkaliás, social policies should focus on the needs of children rather than penalizing families based on the duration of their residence in the country.

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Pressure Mounts For Immediate Legislative Amendments

In a decisive move, members of the committee have pressed the government for swift and meaningful legislative changes. Lawmakers have also signaled their readiness to submit a formal legislative proposal should there be an inadequate official response.

Political Divides Emerge

Notably, dissent within the political spectrum has surfaced. ELAM MP Sotiris Ioannou argued that the current benefits system unfairly favors non-nationals such as foreigners and Turkish-Cypriots, cautioning that this approach could inflate costs and ultimately diminish the benefits available for Cypriot citizens. In response, his party is preparing to file a proposal that would limit benefits exclusively to Cypriot nationals.

Addressing Injustices For Returning Cypriots

Adding to the debate, MP Andreas Apostolou condemned what he described as a severe injustice against Cypriots repatriating from non-European nations. Apostolou has secured a meeting with officials from the benefit service and has committed to presenting a legislative proposal by October. His initiative aims to ensure that returning Cypriot families receive child benefit payments from the very first day of their arrival.

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EU Moderates Emissions While Sustaining Economic Momentum

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

November 15, 2025

The European Union witnessed a modest decline in greenhouse gas emissions in the second quarter of 2025, as reported by Eurostat. Emissions across the EU registered at 772 million tonnes of CO₂-equivalents, marking a 0.4 percent reduction from 775 million tonnes in the same period of 2024. Concurrently, the EU’s gross domestic product rose by 1.3 percent, reinforcing the ongoing decoupling between economic growth and environmental impact.

Sector-By-Sector Performance

Within the broader statistics on emissions by economic activity, the energy sector—specifically electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply—experienced the most significant drop, declining by 2.9 percent. In comparison, the manufacturing sector and transportation and storage both achieved a 0.4 percent reduction. However, household emissions bucked the trend, increasing by 1.0 percent over the same period.

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National Highlights And Notable Exceptions

Among EU member states, 12 reported a reduction in emissions, while 14 saw increases, and Estonia’s figures remained static. Notably, Slovenia, the Netherlands, and Finland recorded the most pronounced declines at 8.6 percent, 5.9 percent, and 4.2 percent respectively. Of the 12 countries reducing emissions, three—Finland, Germany, and Luxembourg—also experienced a contraction in GDP growth.

Dual Achievement: Environmental And Economic Goals

In an encouraging development, nine member states, including Cyprus, managed to lower their emissions while maintaining economic expansion. This dual achievement—reducing environmental impact while fostering economic activity—is a trend that has increasingly influenced EU climate policies. Other nations that successfully balanced these outcomes include Austria, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovenia, and Sweden.

Conclusion

As the EU continues to navigate its climate commitments, these quarterly insights underscore a gradual yet significant shift toward balancing emissions reductions with robust economic growth. The evolving landscape highlights the critical need for sustainable strategies that not only mitigate environmental risks but also invigorate economic resilience.