The abstention rate in yesterday`s parliamentary elections demonstrates the lack of trust by the citizens and should send messages to all, House President Yiannakis Omirou has said.

In a written statement issued on Monday, Omirou says that the people`s verdict is respected, however the abstention shows that the lack of public confidence in the political process remains a major weakness in democracy. He points out that measures should be adopted to restore the people`s trust and everyone should reflect on the phenomenon.

Omirou also says that the new parliament must play its role in difficult conditions the economy and society are faced with and must show social sensitivity towards the ones in need. The parliament, he says, must exercise the necessary parliamentary control aimed at improving the state machine efficiency and productivity of the government and to preserve the powers of the Parliament, as stated in the Constitution.

As regards the Cyprus problem, Omirou says that the House must safeguard the objective of a democratic, viable and functional solution on the basis of the UN Security Council resolutions and the acquis communautaire.

Cyprus has been divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation. UN peace talks are underway with the aim to reunite the island under a federal roof.