House Rejects Stricter Penalties for Misuse of Disability Parking Spaces
In a decisive vote, the House plenum has turned down a legislative proposal aimed at imposing sterner penalties on those who unlawfully park in spaces designated for individuals with disabilities. The bill, championed by Edek MP Andreas Apostolou, sought to escalate the existing fine from €300 to €500 and introduce criminal liability for habitual violators, potentially leading to a one-year prison term or a fine of up to €3,000.
The proposal, however, garnered scant support, securing only four affirmative votes against 35 nays. The prevailing sentiment among MPs was that the current punitive measures are adequate as a deterrent. Despite the setback, Apostolou expressed his determination to continue advocating for the rights of people with disabilities through future legislation.
On the opposing side, Diko MP Christos Orfanides contended that penalty enhancements should correlate with an uptick in infractions. He cited a significant 60 percent reduction in reported violations since 2019 as evidence that the current fines are effective. Orfanides emphasized the importance of proportionality in penalties, suggesting that exorbitant fines could have devastating effects on some families. He disclosed his own initiative of recommending vehicle towing to the transport minister, a measure that remains unimplemented.
Adding to the debate, Disy party’s Demetris Demetriou hinted at potential political motives behind the bill, given Apostolou’s candidacy in the forthcoming European Parliament elections. However, Demetriou clarified that he does not subscribe to this view, acknowledging Apostolou’s long-standing commitment to disability issues.
While the proposed bill has been rejected, the discussion highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing enforcement with fairness in addressing parking violations that affect the disabled community.
