1. Annita Demetriou is a Cypriot politician, who serves as President of the Cypriot House of Representatives since June 2021, and as the President of the Democratic Rally since March 2023.
18 Facts About Annita Demetriou
1. 2.
The first woman and youngest person ever to hold either of the top roles, Demetriou has represented her home district of Larnaca in the House of Representatives since 2016.
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Annita Demetriou was born on 18 October 1985 in the village of Troulli, Larnaca District.
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Annita Demetriou graduated with a degree in social and political science from the University of Cyprus in 2007 and a Masters in international relations and European studies from the University of Kent.
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Annita Demetriou worked at the University of Cyprus as a Public Relations Officer and a lecturer in International Relations.
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Annita Demetriou was a Special Association at Capital TV presenting the Central News Bulletin.
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Annita Demetriou is a member of the conservative Democratic Rally party.
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Annita Demetriou was a member of the Troulloi Community Council from 2012 until 2016, and was the first woman on the council.
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Annita Demetriou has been deputy chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Equal Opportunities between Men and Women and the Parliamentary Committee on Education and Culture.
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Annita Demetriou has been Vice President of DISY since February 2020.
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Annita Demetriou was elected speaker of the House of Representatives on 10 June 2021 in the second round of voting from seven candidates, including front runner and left-wing AKEL party leader Andros Kyprianou, with support from the centrist Democratic Front and far-right ELAM parties.
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Annita Demetriou received 25 votes from the 56 seat parliament, with 22 needed in the second round.
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Annita Demetriou was the first and only female candidate and is the first woman, as well as the youngest person, to be elected to the position.
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In October 2021, Annita Demetriou proposed a legislation to address violence against women by establishing the crime of femicide.
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On May 12,2022, Annita Demetriou submitted a bill to the Plenary of the House seeking to criminalise school bullying, by introducing a penalty of up to 12 months in prison or a fine of up to 2,000 euros.
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On February 22,2024, Annita Demetriou proposed a law aiming to introduce postal voting for the European Parliament Elections for residents abroad.
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Annita Demetriou came under scrutiny in 2024 for a stance she took against Georgios Grivas, EOKA and the Greek War of Independence, saying that enough is enough, discussing issues such as 1956 and 1821.
18.
Annita Demetriou has been married to Andreas Kyprianou since 2013.