If the government had supported SME’s it would have Parliament’s support

Statement by AKEL C.C. Spokesperson Stefanos Stefanou

AKEL C.C. Press Office, 21 May 2020, Nicosia

The Anastasiades government is unable to grasp what even right-wing governments in Europe have understood. That is to say, the economy in the era of the coronavirus pandemic period needs first and foremost to be supported, not to be burdened with additional loans.

In Cyprus, where the majority of small and medium-sized enterprises are over-indebted, this conclusion applies even more so. SME’s, which represent the backbone of the Cyprus economy, aren’t rescued by additional loans. The state must support SME’s and self-employed workers.

That is what the government must do. If it wanted to, it could already have done so, knowing full well that on this issue it has the support of the House of Representatives. A letter to that effect was sent by the House Finance Committee last week.

At the same time, the government is called upon to address the serious loathing that seems to have overcome it with regards to role of the House of Representatives. Given that the government cannot imagine that it could make a mistake, the government ruling forces should at least remember what they were saying when they were in opposition: “Parliament has every right and the obligation to approve and reject, but also to amend.” This is what the current President of ruling DISY, Averof Neophytou had stated. As the saying goes – Practice what you preach…