Regulated Lobbying in Cyprus: A New Institutional Reality
- evie0495
- Apr 15
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 16
The implementation of the Law on Lobbying represents one of the most important institutional developments in the Republic of Cyprus, as it introduces for the first time an official, regulated framework of transparency and accountability in political influence processes. This Law, which came into force in 2024, marks the beginning of a new era for Cyprus, which is striving to move beyond traditional lobbying practices that often took place behind the scenes, beyond official scrutiny or documentation. This initiative comes at a time when the need for transparency and political accountability is more urgent than ever.
The adoption of the Law on Lobbying (Law 20(I)/2022) on February 17, 2022, was a decisive moment in the policy-making process of the Republic of Cyprus. The Law establishes a new transparency framework for participation in public decision-making processes, aiming to reduce and prevent conditions that could lead to corruption. According to the Law, all participants in decision-making processes must register in the Register of Lobbyists and are obliged to submit a report after each meeting with government officials. Similarly, government officials are required to file communication forms for every meeting held with interest representatives.
The Law’s Regulatory Provisions, approved in April 2023, interpret the rules for the Lobbyist Register and outline the procedures for handling personal data within the lobbying system. Subsequently, the Independent Authority Against Corruption began accepting registration applications for the Register in November 2023, and as of March 1, 2024, the obligations of the Law fully apply to all lobbyists and government officials.
The need for this measure is evident: political influence exists regardless of regulatory frameworks, and the real question is whether it will occur transparently or continue to take place in the shadows, without oversight. Following the example of countries such as Ireland, France, and Sweden, Cyprus has chosen the path of institutionalizing lobbying, differentiating dishonest practices from credible interest representation.
Until recently, political influence in Cyprus was typically informal, relying on personal relationships and political networks, with no official recording of such processes. The new system aims to break this tradition and encourage equal access to decision-making, ensuring that all actors—not just economic stakeholders, but also NGOs, universities, local communities, and social movements—have equal opportunity to influence policy.
Thus, the implementation of the Law on Lobbying is not only about enacting a legal framework, but also about changing a deeply rooted political culture in Cyprus. This Law seeks to transform that culture, bringing the political process into a new era where transparency and responsibility are the core values. However, this change will not be immediate and will require time to take hold. Government officials must adapt to the new system and accept that political influence should be open and accessible to all—not just the economically powerful.
Still, this is not without challenges. The Independent Authority Against Corruption faces the difficulty of overseeing such a complex and constantly evolving field. There are also concerns about whether the system will be enforced equally for everyone, or if the framework will be reduced to a “transparency showcase” with no real impact.
Nevertheless, many civil society organizations and professional bodies have welcomed the regulation as an opportunity for institutional strengthening. The success of the system will depend on continued support from society and the political will to enforce it strictly and universally. It is a beginning for an open dialogue that until now was conducted behind closed doors. And now, those doors are beginning to open. From now on, political influence in Cyprus is no longer the privilege of a few, but a process carried out with transparency, fairness, and accountability to society.
Evie Theocharous, Policy Officer, Zenox Public Affairs
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