The government intends to refer back to parliament a law regulating opening hours of shops, following legal advice from the Attorney General.
Government Spokesman Nicos Christodoulides said the government has the political will to refer the law on shop opening hours to the Supreme Court, pointing out that the Attorney General Costas Clerides has already told the President that there are legal and constitutional reasons justifying the referral.
“The President of the Republic, as the guardian of the constitution, had to ask the Attorney General, who responded orally that indeed there are legal and constitutional reasons for the referral,” he said in statements to the press on the matter.
Christodoulides also said that under the Constitution the government has 15 days within which to act on the matter.
The House plenary approved last week, with 31 votes in favor and 15 against, a bill that regulates the working hours of stores, extending opening hours on Wednesdays and Saturdays in order to remain closed on Sunday. Shops in some tourist areas will be allowed to remain open on Sundays during the summer season.
