Statement of Andros Kyprianou, General Secretary of the C.C. of AKEL, after the submission of candidacies for the Nicosia district
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 4th May 2016, Nicosia
Today is not the most important moment for democracy, but on 22nd May. The people are called upon to elect to the House of Representatives the most worthy, those who can represent their interests. Everyone must participate in these elections. Everyone has to make a choice. Abstention simply boosts anti-social policies against the people, authoritarianism and arrogance of those governing us. Every vote can make the difference.
We have a strong candidate list with people willing to work tirelessly and selflessly. Our list is accompanied by our political proposal on the Cyprus problem, but also on socio-economic issues. There is neither any room for any expediency, nor for any empty rhetoric on the Cyprus problem. There can only be room for patriotism, seriousness and responsibility. Our goal is a solution of the Cyprus problem that will withstand difficulties in its implementation and be based on the agreed framework and principles; a solution with a single sovereignty, a single citizenship and a single international personality; a bi-zonal, bi-communal federal solution which will reunite the territory, institutions and economy and ensure the basic rights and freedoms of all Cypriots.
The government is correct when it talks about a “success story” and about leading the way. We lead the way in social inequality, long-term unemployment and in the reduction of wages. The public health sector is collapsing and the government follows with apathy. Cyprus is now one of the states spending the least, minimum expenditure on health. The foreclosures of primary family homes and small business premises, as well as privatizations, are being promoted. 234,000 of our fellow citizens are on the poverty line. Our pensioners are barely making ends meet and our young people are emigrating. At the same time, we are experiencing the destruction of institutions by those “excellent of the excellent” appointed by the government. They are calling on the Cypriot people to support and vote for the continuation of this state of affairs, which they have indeed termed as “stability” and offering a “perspective”.
There is an alternative choice, that is to say stability with regards the principles of the solution of the Cyprus problem for a solution that will liberate and reunite our homeland. Resistance to the anti-social policies and privatizations. For education, health, a welfare state, the protection of pensioners and respect for women, for the rule of law, far from authoritarianism and arrogance.
The candidate list of AKEL- Left – New Forces is the guarantee for fulfilling these goals.
The stronger we are in the House of Representatives, the more powerful we can defend the rights and just cause of the Cypriot people.
Together we can make a difference!
