AKEL will vote against the State Budget of the DISY government

 

30 November 2022, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia

The budget is the mirror of a government that has consciously served the privileged few and brought the many to their knees for a decade. It continues on the same path and policies that have increased inequalities in Cypriot society and left a “legacy” in the country, namely that of a major shift of wealth from working people to corporate profits. It still continues to leave households and businesses without protection from the arbitrariness of the banks, while it refuses to support society in the face of the tsunami of poverty and the energy crisis.

By a unanimous decision of the Central Committee of AKEL that convened today, AKEL will vote against the National Budget of the DISY government for 2023. At the same time, AKEL will table amendments for cuts or even for the freezing of funds aiming at controlling expenditure.

Among other things, AKEL is asking for scrutiny to be exercised over spending on assistants and associates in the Presidency and Ministries, as well as over the government’s communication and promotion campaigns. We also call for a 10% cut in some of the operating costs of Ministries. In addition, AKEL proposes that the funds related to the promotion of privatisation and for the promotion of Grivas’ memory be cut. We further demand that the expenditure for the management of the Forest of Akamas be frozen in order to obtain the consent of Parliament before they are released.

The positive thing about the latest Budget of the DISY Government is that it is the last one. The change in the governance of the country with Andreas Mavroyiannis as President of Cyprus will mark a new beginning for the country, our people and for working people. It will mean a new economic policy that will generate growth and prosperity for the many and not for powerful private interests.