AKEL replies to the statements made by President Nikos Christodoulides

 

8 August 2026, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia

No, Mr Christodoulides. The spate of appointments has not only not ended, but has actually intensified.

If there is any doubt, one need only look at what happened in recent days at the Presidential Palace, when the president of DIKO, Nikolas Papadopoulos, went there with his lists demanding greater representation for his party in semi-governmental organisations.

That is why the President’s statements can only be seen as a mockery of the public.

And, unfortunately, it seems that public opinion does not particularly concern him. From the very first day of his election, Mr Christodoulides has had his sights set on his re-election. And he has framed his appointments within this logic.

Yet he promised the public one thing as a candidate but is doing exactly the opposite as President.

He promised appointments based on transparency and meritocracy, through the Advisory Council. He promised balanced representation of men and women. He promised to ensure there would be no conflict of interest.

And above all, he made a clear promise: that, should he reject a recommendation from the Advisory Council, he would publicly explain his reasons.

He is doing none of these things.

He does not explain his decisions. He does not hold himself accountable to society. And at the same time, he is allowing the Advisory Council, which he himself appointed, to be discredited.

Ultimately, the problem is not just the appointments. It is the gulf between what Mr Christodoulides promised as a candidate and what he is doing as President.

Society does not need further assurances. It needs transparency, meritocracy and accountability.

And, unfortunately, he is failing to deliver on all these.