POLITICS: Cyprus President to publicly explain his ‘loose federation’ views

Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades will give a TV address on Tuesday evening to outline his proposals for a decentralised federation in a post-settlement Cyprus.

These are new ideas, Anastasiades says he wants to bring to the table to ensure that the federal government will be able to function properly and not grind to a shuddering halt once a reunification deal is brokered.

The President’s press conference is scheduled to be broadcast on TV at 1930 local time (1530 GMT), in the Cabinet Room.

For the first time, Anastasiades is expected to elaborate on his proposal for a more decentralised federation, where some powers would be transferred from central government to the constituent states.

 Some critics say this is moving away from the decades-agreed template of a bizonal, bicommunal federation and would effectively create a two-state solution for Cyprus, rather than a single federal republic.

On November 12, the National Council is set to meet for the President to inform the members of the top advisory body on the Cyprus issue about his meetings with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci on October 26 and UN envoy Jane Holl Lute last week.