The House of Representatives unanimously accepted President Nikos Christodoulides’ referral regarding the second amendment to the Constitution, which enshrines the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment.

Following the referral, the House resubmitted the bill for a vote. It passed with 46 MPs in favour, five against, and two abstentions out of the 53 MPs present.

The amendment establishes the constitutional right to a healthy and sustainable environment, incorporating additions proposed by the attorney-general’s office and approved by the House legal committee.

The bill was initially passed on December 5 with 37 votes in favour. However, constitutional amendments require a two-thirds majority of all MPs – at least 38 votes – to pass. President Christodoulides referred the bill back to the House due to this shortfall.

House president Annita Demetriou clarified on Thursday that the required majority is indeed 38 MPs. She called for a vote on the referral, which was unanimously accepted, and subsequently on the bill itself, which secured 46 votes in favour.

House legal committee Chairman Nicos Tornaritis praised the amendment, highlighting its significance for the country and its people. He noted that the new provisions allow individuals to bring pollution-related issues before the courts and provide greater access to environmental information.