Tensions escalated during the plenary session of Parliament during the examination of a legislative proposal to exempt casinos from the €10,000 limit on cash transactions.
Following an intense debate with confrontational exchanges and offensive remarks, the House ultimately approved the proposal.
The exemption will remain in effect until the universal implementation of the European regulation in July 2027.
Twenty-six MPs from DISY, DIKO, EDEK, DEPA and Andreas Themistocleous voted in favour of the bill, while 16 AKEL MPs and Alexandra Attalidou voted against it. DISY MP Demetris Demetriou abstained.
The bill was introduced by Nikolas Papadopoulos (DIKO), Marinos Mousiouttas (DEPA), Efthymios Diplaros (DISY) and independent MP Andreas Themistocleous.
AKEL MPs expressed strong opposition to the proposal, arguing that it serves particular interests.
They also referenced various objections from institutional bodies, which oppose exempting casinos from the restriction.
On the other side, the bill’s supporters maintained that exempting casinos is in the national and public interest. They argued that the exemption would benefit tourism.
