Address by the General Secretary of the Central Committee of AKEL, Stefanos Stefanou at the event organised by the Social Alliance: Looking to the future

 

20 March 2024, Journalist’s House, House

Dear friends,

In our first meeting, which took place on 28 June last year, when we as AKEL took the initiative to set up the Social Alliance, I told you that we are facing a great challenge: “To answer the question of whether people with different starting points, who have nevertheless found themselves on the same side of history, can formulate a common political proposal with a progressive orientation.”

Nine months later, after much discussion, reflection and fermentation, we have managed to give practical substance to the political intentions in response to the demands of our times. For AKEL, the rallying with forces and personalities in society who share common concerns, priorities and approaches to major issues is first and foremost a matter of political responsibility. After all, we have as a legacy the successful custom of the New Forces on which we can build on. That is precisely why we believed passionately in the idea of the Social Alliance, where people from different ideological and political backgrounds come together on the basis of a common progressive agenda.

The main axis of this agenda is the solution of the Cyprus problem. A solution that will end the Turkish occupation and reunite our land and people, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, within the framework of a Bizonal, Bicommunal Federation with political equality.

But the political agenda is not confined to the Cyprus problem. It extends to the economy and the need for a strong economy with dynamic and sustainable growth. It extends to the need for the establishment of a developed welfare state and the rule of law, for a public administration that operates with transparency, accountability, meritocracy and good governance. For a society and a state that stands against nationalism, racism and fascism, but also against entanglement/interwoven interests and corruption. For a state that actively protects human rights.

The existence of a clear political agenda, which is set out in the political declaration that we will announce today, is one of the three new qualitive elements that the Social Alliance brings with it in relation to the New Forces.

The second qualitative element that characterises the Social Alliance is the increased participation in the debate and decision-making processes in AKEL.

The third element relates to the better organisational set-up of the Platform, without of course copying the Party structure and function.

Dear friends,

The last nine months have been a particularly interesting journey, in which AKEL has been keeping “An eye on the future”. A fruitful journey during which there have been important milestones for our Party:

• With an eye on the future, we made use of the momentum of the effort we all made together in the presidential elections to change things in Cyprus and which was expressed through the independent candidacy of Andreas Mavroyiannis. All this time we have worked to build bridges of communication with those forces that are seeking change on the basis of a comprehensive progressive proposal with a social content.
• With an eye to the future, we convened the Party Statutory Congress, where important decisions were taken to modernise and renew our Party in order to respond to modern challenges and the dynamics of ongoing developments.
• With an eye on the future, we turned words into deeds by forming the electoral lists for the double election this June. By formulating a diverse European elections candidate list and strengthening the institution of local government with the support of personalities who beyond party affiliations.
• With an eye on the future, we are ready to wage the battle in Europe, as a force of assertion for the rights and gains of citizens. As a force of assertion for local communities through the institution of local self-government.

With an eye on the future, we have come here to this historic meeting, determined to make a new dynamic start. Wiser in our aims, because at the end of this nine-month journey a great political truth is emerging before us:

That the future is now! And we, with our collective action, with our forces united, are building this future with our action today!

Dear friends,

• The future is now because the prolonged impasse on the Cyprus problem does not permit us to remain inactive.
• The future is now because the phenomena of the lack of accountability and ongoing impunity continue to provoke our democratic sentiments.
• The future is now because the writing on the wall of the first year of the Christodoulides administration recycles a developmental model without a vision and perspective.
• The future is now because progressive forces must act as a bastion of resistance to the rise of the far right.

As AKEL we believe that we are at a historic turning point where there is no room for any passivity. The prolonged price hikes and expensiveness that afflicts households and businesses in conjunction with the new geostrategic situation affecting our country demand vigilance. Vigilance, however, that is not limited to protesting about the erroneous state of affairs, but elaborates positions, submits proposals and asserts demands for our country and people.

A positive agenda is the barometer of seriousness and responsibility in politics. With an emphasis on content and not just on image and communication games/tactics. This is what society, and especially the younger generation, expects from us: To submit proposals putting forward another political path. For Cyprus, for Europe, for the people who are at the centre of our political thinking and action. Because “The future is now” and it demands from all of us responsibility and determination to lead our country forward.

Today we are opening up a new path, the path of social alliance for our Cyprus and people. We want to make this path an avenue with our demands and efforts.