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Economy and cost of living the main reasons Cypriots voted in this years European elections 

The economic situation and rising prices and cost of living were the main topics that motivated Cypriots to vote in the last European elections in June this year, according to a post-electoral survey published by the European Parliament.

These were also the two main reasons for voting on the EU level (42% for cost of living and 41% for the economic situation), but the shares were much larger in Cyprus where the economic situation led with 56%, followed by rising prices and cost of life with 47%.

The third most popular reason in Cyprus was migration and asylum (45%, compared to 38% and sixth place in the EU average), followed by education in fourth place (26%, compared to 13% in the EU) and democracy and rule of law in fifth place (24%, compared to 32% and fourth place in the EU).

The international situation was in sixth place for Cypriots tied with the defence and security of the EU (21%), while on average in the EU the global situation was picked in third place with 34% and defence and security in seventh place with 28%.

Those who did not vote in Cyprus said the cost of living (53%), migration and asylum (45%) and the economic situation (42%) could have motivated them to participate in the elections.

The European Parliament post-electoral survey across the EU was conducted between June 13th and July 8th 2024, with a total of 26,349 face-to-face interviews. In Cyprus, the survey was conducted from June 13th to July 5th, and a total of 506 face-to-face interviews.

New Decrees For Blue Card And Foreign Students: Key Changes And Implications

The Ministry of Labor and Social Insurance has announced a series of new measures aimed at addressing the increasing demands of Cyprus’ labor market. These initiatives are designed to attract highly skilled professionals from third countries and broaden employment opportunities for foreign students in select fields, as outlined in the recent Decrees published in the Official Gazette of the Republic.

Attracting Skilled Professionals

One of the key updates is the introduction of a minimum annual salary for foreign professionals, which has been set at €43,632, 1.5 times the average gross annual salary in Cyprus. This salary threshold applies to individuals coming to work in sectors such as Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), pharmaceuticals for research purposes, and maritime industries (excluding skippers and crew).

Expanded Employment Options For Foreign Students

The new regulations also provide an update on the employment rights of foreign students. From December 2024, students from third countries will be able to work in Cyprus, with the new rules replacing the previous March 2024 start date.

Students studying ICT who have completed their first academic semester will be eligible to work in occupations related to their field of study, thereby gaining practical experience while pursuing their education.

In response to critical sector shortages, the regulations also clarify the specific occupations and salaries that Blue Card holders—third-country nationals—will be eligible for in Cyprus. The Blue Card, in line with the European Directive, allows highly skilled professionals to live and work in EU member states.

Strengthening The Labor Market and Economy

These updates are expected to bolster the supply of specialized workers in key sectors, addressing existing gaps and promoting the continued growth of Cyprus’ economy. At the same time, the new measures offer foreign students enhanced opportunities for professional development, facilitating their seamless integration into the country’s workforce.

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