DISY is championing clientelism

Statement by AKEL C.C. Spokesperson Giorgos Koukoumas

28 January 2022, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia

The case of the former sportswoman and parliamentary candidate for the ruling DISY party is extremely serious. The Audit Office has revealed the falsification of documents by the Cyprus Sports Organisation (KOA) in order to justify her privileged secondment to the Cyprus Olympic Committee and her salary upgrade.

From the case of Yiannakis to the issue of the Presidential advisors being given permanent civil service status, from the case of Nicos Anastasiades’ niece to the Shialos case, the ruling DISY party is championing clientelism/favoritism. Now that they are in their last year in government, they are rushing to distribute jobs by patronage and favors to as many cronies as they can.

One thing is for sure. As long as they are in government, they will trivialize every trace of meritocracy, the rule of law and equality before the law.