AKEL MEP G.Georgiou on Pandora Papers: Inseparable relationship between politicians and their rich friends

 

21 October 2021, ‘Astra’ radio

AKEL MEP Giorgos Georgiou spoke of the existence an inseparable relationship between politicians who take decisions and their rich friends who are favored, commenting on paragraph 12 of the European Parliament’s resolution on the Pandora Papers, a resolution which included the names of President Anastasiades and the Czech Prime Minister, but certain political forces asked for these references to be removed. Speaking to ‘Astra’ radio, G.Georgiou said that the European Parliament’s scope of activity must be respected. He noted that some political groups will seek today in the plenary of the European Parliament with the tabling of an amendment to bring back the names that were removed in the final Draft.

The AKEL MEP noted that there is an amendment through which they are trying to list 6 countries, including Cyprus, which have been criticized in the past by the European Commission for having an inadequate tax system which, he said, permits theft. G.Georgiou also said that in the corridors of the European Parliament some were brandishing international newspapers about the Pandora papers, referring to President Anastasiades and Cyprus. He added that apart from ‘Astra’ radio and the newspapers “Haravgi” and “Politis”, Cypriot journalists have kept silent on the issue.

At the same time, the AKEL MEP pointed out that there should be control mechanisms that should seek to restore this distorted situation. He said that in the capitalist system we live in, certain people find ways to steal. With control mechanisms they should at least be forced to steal less. The AKEL MEP also revealed that $11.3 trillion are hidden in tax havens.