Neither the numbers, nor the people are prospering

Statement of Stavros Evagorou, Deputy Parliamentary Spokesperson of AKEL- Left-New Forces

AKEL C.C. Press Office, 4th January 2016, Nicosia

We entered 2016 and the government are continuing on the same path. They talk about growth ignoring deflation, about primary surplus but conceal the surplus is a result of the vicious bloody cuts in social benefits and in developmental and growth expenditures.

We are told that when numbers begin to prosper subsequently prosperity for the people will follow. They are lying.

We are told all this in a country where:

– There is the biggest reduction in wages compared to all EU countries.

– We have the largest widening of income inequalities.

– The number of the unemployed has risen to 65,000 people and this despite the mass exodus of our young people abroad.

– 234,000 of our compatriots are living around or below the poverty line.

– Thousands of our fellow compatriots continue to be fed by social food banks.

How can the Minister of Finance talk about numbers prospering? Aren’t the above mentioned not numbers? And indeed numbers behind which tens of thousands of our fellow compatriots are hidden?

How can this government legitimately talk about a “success story” when:

– We have the highest interest rates in Europe.

– We have the biggest percentage of Non-performing loans in the world.

– GDP has declined by 2 billion Euros.

– Social benefits have shrunk by 360 million Euros in three years and the investment sector record first negative sign.

Unfortunately however this Right neoliberal onslaught does not seem to abate, on the contrary the government are announcing its continuation.

So bearing in mind the deeds and days of this government, but also the magnitude of human suffering, which is reflected also in numbers, our advice to the government is: to the understanding, few words suffice...