Press Conference of Andros Kyprianou, General Secretary of the C.C. of AKEL, at the plenary of the C.C. 9th AND 16th July
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 21st July 2016, Nicosia
On the 9th and 16th July the Plenaries of the Central Committee of AKEL convened to assess the 22nd May parliamentary election result.
During the plenary sessions a very constructive, self-critical and critical dialogue took place, in which the overwhelming majority of the members of the Central Committee expressed their views. More than 80 members of the C.C. took the floor to state their position. Criticism was exercised about the weaknesses we as a Party and the People’s Movement of the Left have had for some years. Furthermore, there was also self-criticism that everyone could have worked better, offering more. Finally, many proposals were submitted which are already being elaborated within the framework of drawing up of the strategic planning on the next steps which AKEL must take to gain the position it deserves in the Cypriot people’s hearts and minds.
The Plenum of the Central Committee did not hesitate and did not shy away from pointing out bitter truths and weaknesses that led to this concrete election result.
In recent years, Cyprus has been experiencing unprecedented situations. Wealth is being redistributed brutally. The people face enormous economic and social problems. As AKEL we showed a weakness over recent years, not only during the election period, in elaborating policies that could address these problems and keep the perspective for the future strong.
Many people, rightly or wrongly, don’t believe that AKEL can defend them. People who found themselves unemployed, find it difficult to make ends meet and who don’t receive any help from the state, consider that at the crucial time AKEL was not close to them. At the same time, we did not convince them during the years of the Anastasiades administration that we can formulate credible alternative proposals on the economy, which can be accepted by the majority.
In the minds of a section of the people AKEL just in exerting correct criticism but without putting forth a realistic proposal to change things. The people therefore punished us by abstaining because they didn’t see in us the force to address their problems, nor the hope in their future.
The issue of the “Christofias governance” also negatively affected many people’s consciousness. This was our responsibility as well. We made an assessment in the plenary sessions of the C.C. and Congress with regards the period of the Christofias government. We acknowledged the rich and diverse work that was done. We assessed self-critically the mistakes, weaknesses and omissions. However we didn’t managed to convince them of our positions, making them understandable to the people.
AKEL was also dealt a major blow by the fact that we lost the moral advantage we always had over time. This greatly wounded the people of AKEL who were proud because of our superiority and dominance on this matter. Despite our sincere efforts to confront and stamp out phenomena of corruption and interwoven interests, we failed to convince them that we are not all the same. The party leadership has an enormous responsibility to convince people through initiatives and actions that we are different; that we do not tolerate such behaviors.
We also didn’t manage to effectively repel and counter the propaganda and talk about a supposed collusion (“DISAKEL”) between DISY and AKEL. The change in the electoral law transmitted a message of arrogance and accentuated the deceptive separation into “small” and “big” parties. The cases such as FOCUS and XYTY-XYTA, which gave the opportunity to all to equate us with DISY, also cost us dearly, even though this has no connection with reality.
At the same time, we frankly and boldly declare that although our candidate list was admittedly worthy and serious, nonetheless it wasn’t as broad as it should have been. With the same sincerity the Central Committee assessed how damaging self-promotion/small-time politics was this time which appeared more intensely than ever in the election campaign. We also pointed out behaviors of former cadres who undermined the collective effort that we should have made as a Party. As necessary as it is to deepen democracy and a different viewpoint in the party, so it is equally imperative to respect the decisions of the majority. The reluctance demonstrated with regards this respect undermines the Party’s unity and effectiveness in persuading people.
In other words, we did not wage the battle united. We didn’t reach out broadly to society. Instead, we disappointed worthy people who preferred to stay away from such behaviours and the perception that “all the parties are the same” and the view that “they all want positions of power” was strengthened.
The plenary of the Central Committee also identified the major problems and weaknesses we had in our organizational work which appeared more intensely than any previous time. Our contact with the people was fragmented or not regular, despite the efforts made by the Party District Committees. We didn’t manage to reach everyone. We were unable to have the contact we would have liked with society. We were constantly seeing the same people in the same places. At the same time, we did not have the presence we should have had in social movements and social struggles. Instead of being at the forefront, we were more or less absent.
The Central Committee has also identified major weaknesses encountered in our communication sector. While we had and do have positions and proposals, we did not project and convey them consistently, continuously and in a single political voice.
We also assessed as the party leadership the fact that a fruitful dialogue was conducted in the party rank and file as well. In this debate opinions and views were tabled not just by cadres and members, but also by friends of AKEL. All of these were taken into account in the dialogue, but also in the decisions approved. The fact that many people beyond party members are anxious, reflecting and want to see AKEL take steps forward is indicative of the dynamic and perspective our Party has.
The dialogue that took place has proved that we have the will and desire to change things; to change immediately, but not superficially; to change things in order to serve the substance and not any impressions. There is the will and desire to see the mistakes and correct them, but not to demolish everything. There is the will and the desire to look ahead with optimism and with an appetite for work. We should act now, building for the future of AKEL and the AKEL of the future.
The recovery will not be easy. It will be a painful and long process, which however we will follow until the end by addressing society in general. We will do so with new ways and new means, with young comrades at the forefront, from top to bottom, that will give a breath of renewal to our Party, but will also be a source of creativity for the assumption of new initiatives, new achievements and new successes for our Party and country.
Allow me to give an outline of some of the key decisions, the core issues on which we will work to fulfill.
In the political field:
– Further develop and elaborate our proposals on the economy and society, as well as our efforts to address the critical issues our people are facing. In this direction we are ready to listen to all views. The more views the better.
– Strengthen and continue our contacts and dialogue with broad strata of the people and ensure the continuous presence of AKEL and its members and militants everywhere, in all areas of political and social life of the country so that we can march again with new and old friends, together, fulfilling our common political and ideological goals.
– Deepening our ideological and political work. In theory, but most importantly in practice, in society, on working people’s problems and inside social movements –where AKEL can and must be at the forefront.
– Strengthening our political activity everywhere, both inside and outside the House of Representatives. Our Members of Parliament do valuable work. However, they are not and should not be the MP’s who appear and vote on Thursday in plenary of the House. There are not puppets, or decorative elements in the chamber of the House. The AKEL MP’s must be and will be everywhere. The same also applies to all the full-time cadres working in the party mechanism. We are, and indeed will all be, under constant evaluation and judgment.
On the organizational level:
– Broad action in innovative ways, implementation of Congress decisions and renewal of our party base.
– Bold decisions for renewal and investment in young comrades. We don’t want an aged AKEL. We want an AKEL that is the voice and soul of young people. Among other things, the decision has been taken to set up a specialized group which will study proposals and actions to enhance the participation of young people in the party base.
– Deep and collective discussion on the role of the leading party bodies, the staffing and quality of the militants that compose them.
– Revitalization of the work of party base organizations. Ending at last the practice of simply executing narrow-minded practical tasks. Our organizational emphasis will be devoted to transforming the party base organizations into organizations that will make interventions and will be at the forefront of initiatives on local community issues, on issues of concern to youth, for the development of culture; initiatives to solve and highlight social problems, environmental issues and other issues of concern to contemporary society.
– Strengthening the intervention of the Pancyprian Federation of Labour (PEO), the Youth Organization of EDON, the Union of Cypriot Farmers (EKA) and the Progressive Women’s Movement of POGO in Cypriot society, with particular emphasis on our contacts with youth and working people.
– We should again as the Left set the example on issues related to corruption and interwoven interests. We should be resolute and relentless in combating them and any possible punishment must be exemplary.
– Strengthening the ideological and political unity of AKEL, but also the freedom of dialogue and protection of the opposite view.
– Promote activities for the development of a dialogue and communication with the friends and voters of the Party. Actions on the model of online dialogue on the election results will assume a more structured and institutionalized character and will be extended to wider issues of concern to society.
On the communication sector:
– Utilization of communications specialists and experts not only during a given election campaign
– Continue the efforts to optimize the use of the mass media in a more effective communication policy. Continue the efforts for the fair, objective and impartial treatment of political parties by the mass media, and especially by the state-owned Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation.
– Even more decisive and combative political discourse so as not to leave anything unanswered, but also to make our political positions and distinct differences with DISY and other political parties discernable and clear.
– Further utilization of new and modern possibilities accessible to us by social networks and the Internet.
These are just some of the decisions taken, in addition to the decisions that were approved at the Programmatic and Regular Congresses.
During this period a lot has been said and written about changes in personnel in AKEL, about collective resignations and much more. I just want to state that we do not operate recklessly or in a state of panic. The renewal of AKEL is a process that never stops and which we will certainly continue, not spasmodically however, but in a calculated way, with preparation and according to a long-term planning.
Finally, on behalf of the Central Committee of AKEL I want to reaffirm that the principal concern of everyone is to serve the interests of Cyprus, workers and the people of Cyprus.
The liberation and reunification of Cyprus continues to be our primary objective. Our long-standing positions on the Cyprus problem are now confirmed in practice. Our timeless policy is the antidote to the rejectionist policy, but also to the policy of submission. It is also the only policy that can lead to a solution of the Cyprus problem based on principles, provided that Turkey will abandon its unacceptable positions. We therefore will not sacrifice the principles of the solution and cause of our people for the sake of temporary petty-party gains, no matter how much pressure we may come under.
On the contrary, we will continue to be the Party of all Cypriots, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots and to struggle for our common future in our common homeland. We will continue fighting against neo-fascism. The entry of a fascist – Nazi party in parliament is a very negative development. AKEL historically and according to its statutes defines itself as an “anti-fascist party” and we will continue to act and struggle so.
We will continue to be at the forefront of the decisive battles, both with regards the Cyprus problem and on economic and social issues, for the progress, prosperity, social justice and the future we deserve.
