Government’s “success story” exposed
Statement of Christos Christofides, AKEL Political Bureau member
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 10th April 2016, Nicosia
Today the President of the governing DISY party again repeated the well-known response that the previous government is responsible for the current difficult situation.
With regards the causes of the crisis Mr. Neofytou would do well to at long last look to the “the best bankers of the world” as he has been calling them for years. It really is provocative when those who acted as protectors of the robbery committed by the banks against the people, those who inspired and imposed the devastating haircut on bank deposits are blaming others for the subsequent destruction that took place.
President Anastasiades and DISY President Averof Neofytou have been governing the country for more than three years. They should be focusing on what they had pledged to the Cypriot people during the presidential election campaign and where they have led the people to. They should leave to one side what they have been saying many times over and over again.
However, let’s look at the “modern achievements” of the government and ruling forces:
– The number of jobs has been reduced; unemployment remains particularly high and is hurting primarily young people and the long-term unemployed.
– Approximately 30,000 of our compatriots have been forced to emigrate during their administration.
– As a result of their policies Cyprus records the biggest growth in income inequalities, with the rich becoming richer and the poor poorer.
– Employment conditions have worsened dramatically for thousands of working people.
– They have dismantled the vital Health sector and rendered health and medical care from a right into a privileged for those who can afford it.
– They are seeking through privatizations to sell out everything, even the profitable Semi-governmental organizations to private capital.
– Thousands of households and SME’s are facing the danger of foreclosures and “red loans” pose the greatest danger to the economy.
This is the government’s “modern achievement” and real “success story”. Instead of the “Spring” they had promised, they have brought a long winter to the Cypriot people because they have chosen, together with the Troika, to impose a programme based on class criteria that takes from the majority and strengthens the privileged few.
Reply to Mr. Lillikas, President of the Citizens Alliance:
Mr. Lillikas has been at the forefront of Cypriot political affairs for the last 25 years. He has been a Member of Parliament, served as a Minister, whilst also participating in various and different political parties and formations. Mr. Lillikas’ presence was not always untarnished and flawless. When he therefore refers to a so-called “outdated-party system” we realize that he is referring to himself. Even more so, when in his new party formation, he is cooperating with forces from the past (indeed the reactionary past) of this country, such as the former members of “New Horizons” party, the European Party and many militants of the Grivas-aligned student movement of DRASIS-KES.
