Politis

Parliament Approves Presidential Remand of Refugee Fund Budget - Disagreements over Refugee Funds

Published March 19, 2026, 17:22
Parliament Approves Presidential Remand of Refugee Fund Budget - Disagreements over Refugee Funds

The Parliament approved the President's remand of the budget for the Central Fund for Equal Burden Sharing (CFEBS) for 2026, with 32 votes in favor and 6 against. The remand concerns two amendments introduced by the Parliament regarding the transfer of unspent funds to a reserve of the Fund. The executive branch believes that these amendments are incompatible with EU law, the fiscal framework, and the Constitution, as they restrict the authority of the Minister of Finance. During the debate, MPs expressed differing views. Some argued that the Fund's funds should be intended for the refugee community and not returned to the state, while others questioned the unconstitutionality of the amendments, emphasizing that the 0.4% fee was established to support refugees. Some MPs disagreed with the remand, while others supported it to ensure the smooth continuation of the Fund's work. The Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Refugees, Nikos Kettiros, strongly criticized the Government, arguing that there is no substantial plan for the utilization of the Fund's funds. He stated that the Government's proposals are inadequate and that his party attempted to submit amendments to support refugees, without response. The discussion highlighted the disagreements regarding the management of the Fund's funds and the need for a comprehensive approach to the issue, aiming to effectively support refugees and avoid the loss of funds. The Parliament is expected to revisit the issue in the future, taking into account the concerns expressed by the MPs.