Cyprus’s parliament is preparing to vote on a new law. This law would stop a very old system. For decades, former presidents and parliament speakers received benefits for life. The new plan is to limit these benefits to only five years after they leave their job.
The current rules started in 1988. They give former leaders many things paid by the state for their whole life. This includes a car with a driver, bodyguards, and money for fuel and car repairs. They also get money to pay for a secretary.
The new law wants to change this. It says these benefits should only help former leaders move to normal life, not continue forever. After five years, the car, driver, bodyguards, and extra money for the car would stop. The only thing they could keep for life in the current plan is the money for a secretary.
Some politicians support this change strongly. They say it saves public money and is fairer. One politician, Alexandra Attalides, said, "Public office ends with the job, not with death." However, she also does not agree with keeping the secretary payment for life. She wants to change the law to limit that to five years too.
The final vote will happen soon. If the law passes, it will save the state money. It is part of a bigger discussion in Cyprus about what is fair for politicians after their work is done.