The President of the Republic, Glafkos Klerides, has freezed the examination of all trade union or other demands for pay raises.

In a written statement read by Govt Spokesman, Michalis Papapetrou, Mr Klerides makes it clear that during the period after September 1, 2002 and until the presidential election of February 2003 no request will be examined or satisfied by the government. As he stated, this is the only way to secure the impartiality of the state mechanism.

The President also believes that this decision will not only suspend any attempt of pre-election populism, but it will also avoid the submission of requests in the face of the election. He explained that this decision is in consistent with past pre-election practices he had put into place.

Concluding, the President wishes that his decision will serve as an institution for the benefit of democracy.