The controversy surrounding the suspended former volunteer commissioner Yiannis Yiannakis’ ongoing salary payments was raised in parliament on Wednesday.

During a discussion of the Cyprus youth organisation (Onek) budget for 2025 at the parliamentary education committee, Akel MP Christos Christofides revealed that, by the summer of 2025, the Cyprus government will have paid €76,800 in salaries to Yiannakis despite his suspension.

Yiannakis is currently on trial for falsifying his educational records under which he eventually got the post of commissioner.

Christofides called the situation an “open wound” within Onek and confirmed he had sent a letter to the organisation requesting clarity on the matter.

The budget discussion also shed light on additional concerns within Onek. The audit service representative raised the issue of medical care costs for staff, noting that employers should not cover additional expenses for services already provided under the general health insurance system.

Furthermore, Christofides pointed out that Onek continues to operate without an executive director, raising questions about the organisation’s leadership structure.

As the Yiannakis case progresses in court, MPs expressed broader concerns regarding youth issues in Cyprus. Disy MP Giorgos Karoulas called for a detailed examination of challenges such as housing, delinquency, and substance abuse, urging Onek to propose concrete solutions. Diko MP Chrysanthos Savvidis highlighted the need for Onek’s outreach to extend beyond urban centres to smaller communities like Acheritou and Polis Chrysochous, while also requesting a clear strategic plan outlining Onek’s objectives for the coming years.

Democratic party-cooperation MP Alekos Tryfonidis stressed the importance of a comprehensive youth strategy, particularly in rural and mountainous areas. He also proposed the introduction of road safety awareness in schools starting from the first grade of high school. Independent MP Andreas Themistocleous focused on the procedural flaws in Yiannakis’ appointment, arguing that the main issue was how he was selected for the role. He urged Onek to address pressing youth problems, particularly drug abuse.

Meanwhile, representatives from the Cyprus youth council and various youth organisations pushed for increased funding for youth-related initiatives. They specifically called for more support for the “Youth Initiatives” programme, which funds projects catering to the needs of young people.

As the legal case against Yiannakis unfolds, scrutiny over his salary payments and the leadership vacuum at Onek continues. The outcome of his trial and the steps taken by Onek in the coming months will likely shape the organisation’s future and its role in addressing the needs of Cyprus’ youth.