The struggle against the ultra-right demands consistency and steadfastness

Statement by AKEL C.C. Spokesperson Stefanos Stefanou

AKEL C.C. Press Office, 21 December 2018, Nicosia

Confronting fascism and the ultra-right cannot be done in an unprincipled way. It cannot be that when elections are approaching one’s stand towards the ultra-right is decided depending on what suits electoral and petty-party considerations.

The day before yesterday, in a TV debate it was revealed that the Democratic Party DIKO was trying to gain the support of ELAM in the run-up to the presidential election. Conversely, the government and ruling forces are attempting to keep the channels of contact open with the ultra-right party of ELAM, now and again by making statements referring to “common values ​​and ideals” that they both have in common and every now and then by paying tribute to the destroyer of Cyprus. We would like to remind everyone that when the General Secretary of AKEL, a few years ago, underlined the great danger of the rise of the ultra-right in Cyprus from the podium of the House of Representatives, his comments were mocked and ridiculed by many parties.

The struggle against the ultra-right and fascism, but also the struggle against racism and intolerance, demands consistency and continuity, and this struggle certainly cannot be served by any electoral and political considerations.