A springboard for progressive change in the country

Statement of the C.C. of AKEL on the European Elections

AKEL C.C. Press Office, 29 June 2019, Nicosia

The Central Committee of AKEL met today, Saturday 29th June 2019, and discussed the results of the European elections. In an atmosphere of constructive dialogue, the plenary of the C.C. analyzed the conditions in which the election campaign was conducted, the problems and challenges we faced, the election result itself and, above all, our goals for the day after.

The Central Committee of AKEL, expressed its appreciation to all the militants, members, members and friends of AKEL who worked selflessly and tirelessly in the battle of the European elections, to the movements and organizations that marched together with us, to the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots who supported our ballot.

AKEL conducted an election campaign based on proposals and arguments. It expressed the alternative and progressive proposal it serves to the working people in Cyprus and in Europe. AKEL succeeded in electing two MEP’s, in increasing its electoral strength, both in relation to the previous European elections and the 2016 Parliamentary Elections.

We are fully aware that the election result must not lead to any complacency. On the contrary, it raises the bar of responsibility for our Party higher to continue its struggle for working people’s rights and for nationalism and partition not to pass; to strengthen AKEL’s ties with the people and more specifically with the youth; to correct mistakes and weaknesses; to continue to be the voice of our homeland in Europe and the most active Cypriot force inside the European Parliament; to continue even more resolutely to elaborate policies and propose radical demands that will respond to the modern problems our people are facing. This is the pledge AKEL makes to the people and workers.

The political significance and historical breakthrough that was achieved as a result of AKEL’s decision to present a ballot with the participation of a Turkish Cypriot was pointed out by all. This represented a clear choice in favour of a solution of the Cyprus problem based on principles, for the liberation and reunification of the country and people. The Right and the extreme-right on both sides of the barbed wires of division may have fiercely combated our decision, but the people embraced it. The message of AKEL was transmitted to both sides of the barbed wire of division. We wrote History. We have opened up new prospects for the cooperation of the two communities. This step forward will have a continuation, with the same boldness and same uncompromising stand against the propaganda of nationalism and the circles of partition.

The C.C. of AKEL strongly criticizes in particular the demeaning way in which the President of the Republic referred to the Turkish Cypriot community who decided to participate in the European elections, as well as his references to “borrowed votes”. It is unacceptable that for petty-party and partisan expediencies and purposes, the President of the Republic himself conveyed messages that undermine the effort for rapprochement between the two communities and the restoration of the trust between them; messages that foster nationalism which has caused so much suffering and distressing experiences to Cyprus and its people.

The C.C. of AKEL salutes the participation of Turkish Cypriots in the elections, which has conveyed important political messages for the need to continue the effort to achieve a solution of the Cyprus problem that must terminate the occupation and partition and reunite the country and people within the framework of a bicommunal, bizonal federation with political equality, as set out in the relevant UN resolutions.

The decline in the percentage vote of DISY by 10 points has proved that the Anastasiades government’s lies, despite its predominance in the mass media, did not find a resonance. The dangerous stalemate on the Cyprus problem, the economic policy pursued that serves the interests of the privileged few and elites in Cyprus and in Europe but is crushing the many, their corruption and arrogance, are enraging an ever increasing section of Cypriot society. The extremist positions expressed by DISY in the election are its real face.

The C.C. of AKEL underlines that the outcome of the European elections must represent a springboard in the struggle for the progressive change that is demanded in the governance of the country.

All this, as well as other crucial issues – such as the big abstention from the elections – will be the subject of a broad and democratic dialogue by all the members of AKEL to be conducted in the immediate period ahead. The C.C. expresses its trust in the thousands of ordinary members of AKEL across the whole of Cyprus, who constitute the backbone of the Party. We are sure that through the dialogue, proposals, constructive criticism and self-criticism that will subsequently follow, AKEL will once again emerge stronger and more united for the great battles that we have to wage ahead us. For the defence of the working people and the perspective of the young generation in Cyprus and Europe. For freedom and reunification. For the great progressive change that the Cypriot people deserve and demands.