Decisions need to be taken to address the problems and challenges facing Cyprus

 

Statements by AKEL General Secretary Stefanos Stefanou at an AKEL political rally in Larnaca

9 October 2025, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia

Cyprus is at a very critical juncture, facing many challenges and dangers. Decisions need to be taken to decisively address these challenges and resolve these problems.

The first issue is the solution of the Cyprus problem. This does not depend solely on us, but we can use our initiatives and proposals to help create a dynamic that will break the deadlock and permit negotiations to continue so that we can complete the effort.

The second issue facing Cyprus is the environmental crisis and, in connection with this, the water problem.

Unfortunately, neither the previous Anastasiades-DISY government nor the current one has taken any initiatives to put in place the necessary planning that will allow for the uninterrupted supply of water to households while at the same time supporting the economy’s agricultural and primary sector that needs water.

The third issue we face is that of energy sufficiency and security.

When we spoke a few months ago about the risk of Cyprus being left without electricity, the government responded that we were scaremongering, but in the end we got through the summer by the imposition of power cuts.

We have two key projects that are at a standstill, and everyone can see that any energy planning that exists is up in the air, with the government proving incapable of delivering on its promises.

The fourth issue is the social inequalities that exist in Cyprus. We have a serious problem of poverty risk and, at the same time, while there is satisfactory economic growth being recorded, the results of this growth are not felt by society and the people, with the result that many people are struggling to meet their basic needs.

The fifth issue is the mass sale of land and real estate to third-country nationals, which makes it very difficult for the lower-middle and middle classes of Cypriot society to acquire housing. This also raises the issue of national security, because no state sells off its land, especially a state under occupation such as Cyprus.

AKEL, as a strong, effective, and responsible opposition party, is struggling to combat policies that put pressure on citizen’s standard of living, to address the dangers facing our country, but at the same time, as an experienced, creative, and responsible political force, it helps to address problems and open up prospects for our country to secure the present and future of our people in this land with its proposals and positions.

09.10.2025