President Nikos Christodoulides on Thursday presented the government’s 2026 policy program, outlining more than 55 initiatives aimed at improving daily life for citizens.
Christodoulides said all planned policies are costed and feasible, and fall under five priorities: an outward‑looking foreign policy with a clear European and Western orientation and stronger defence; a resilient economy; state modernization and digital reform; transparency and anti‑corruption; and improved quality of life through policies on health, education, housing and social welfare.
On foreign policy, he said Cyprus will use its 2026 presidency of the Council of the European Union to strengthen its presence in Brussels while deepening ties with regional partners.
Commercial agreements for the Aphrodite and Cronos gas fields are expected to be signed in March. The government will also continue work toward meeting the technical requirements for full accession to the Schengen area.
In the economy, the government will advance pension‑system reform in 2026.
Christodoulides said that following reforms in the Legal Service, Audit Office and the strengthening of the Independent Authority Against Corruption, the executive branch will upgrade the Internal Audit Service.
A bill on special education will be submitted this year, aiming to make schools more inclusive.
Two initiatives will begin in 2026: a pilot program offering free breakfast in kindergartens and the introduction of social workers in primary and secondary schools.
In health, the president highlighted a €145 million development program to upgrade public hospitals across all districts.
On housing, the Cyprus Land Development Corporation will receive additional state funding to expand its projects.
In 2026, it will begin construction of 258 new affordable housing units, in addition to 180 already under way.
In cooperation with the private sector, about 500 more units will be built on state land, representing an investment of more than €75 million. Housing schemes will also be revised next year to cover more beneficiaries.