Presidential Elections 2023: For a better Cyprus!

 

Article by Giorgos T. Georgiou, AKEL Limassol District Secretary

Sunday 15 May 2022, “Haravgi” newspaper

The 2023 Presidential Elections are a crucial appointment with our country’s history. It is the time to measure one’s consciousness and assume one’s responsibility.

It marks the completion of almost 10 years of the conservative and neoliberal government of N. Anastasiades and DISY party. The Cypriot people now know, have gained experience, can compare and make an objective assessment of the facts and realities.

With regards the Cyprus problem, the first and foremost problem, the “Leader of the Solution” as he called himself, N. Anastasiades and ruling DISY party, are in danger of going down in history as leaders of the division and partition of Cyprus. They have driven the Cyprus problem into the abyss. The distance between us and partition has been reduced to almost zero.

On matters of internal governance, Cyprus is bogged down in corruption, entanglement/interwoven interests and scandals. For the first time, the Republic of Cyprus has been accused by all international institutions. The European Union is considering initiating infringement proceedings with regards the serial scandals of the government’s ‘golden’ passport scheme. From a simple reading of the annual reports of the Auditor General, any objective citizen can note the numerous scandals that characterise this government.

What can one say about the meritocracy, the selection of the so-called “excellent of the excellent” government appointees, the government ruling force’s clashes with state institutions and even with the former Attorney General himself?

What comes first in our mind when we recall the arrogance and authoritarianism with which they have handled and treated institutions – the dismissal of the former Governor of the Central Bank Panikos Dimitriades, of the former Chief of Police Mr. Papageorgiou, the provocative dismissal of the Chairman of Cyprus’ Hydrocarbon State Company (KRETYK) Charalambos Ellinas, a prominent scientist and expert on natural gas issues, the clash with the Auditor General to the point of sending him ultimatums to resign?

On economic and social issues, we have witnessed the ultimate collapse of their policy. The imposition of the haircut on bank deposits and the Memoranda that have driven thousands of our compatriots to destruction and devastated their lives. The savings of ordinary people that were lost overnight, while Mr. Anastasiades’ children’s parent’s in laws and entourage engaged in a feast on the backs of our people. And let’s not be told again that… “It’s the fault of those who governed before us”. Furthermore, we recall the net of protection that they established to assist the bankers which led to the biggest banking crisis – a crime committed against our people.

The national debt risen sharply from 79% back then, in the conditions of a crisis, to 115% today! Price hikes and inflation have reached unprecedented levels and are tearing poor people apart, at the same time as the government is focusing on other things.

We should also talk about their economic crimes that have been committed! The selling off of the Cyprus Co-operative Bank, the port of Limassol and of the Cyprus Grain Commission…

We should talk about Health, which within the space of ten years the government ruling forces have dismantled public hospitals in the name of promoting their “lesser state” policy. We should talk about their policy of Education, which with their dogmatism and ideological concepts have plunged the education system into disarray, or about their policies on Culture, which they have curbed to a degree that it non-existence.

We can speak of many things the government ruling forces have done…

Today we need change, progressive and democratic change. We need a vision for the long-term. For a united and peaceful Cyprus, home to all its children, with more security, prosperity and stability. A Cyprus that will = focus its attention on people and their needs and demands. We need a state that will modernize and restore institutions and democracy. A state of egalitarianism and of equality before the law.

We need a President of the Republic who as never before has a vision, programme, plan and a blueprint to build the Cyprus of tomorrow. A President whose programme will be distinguished by social sensitivity and solidarity.

AKEL will fulfill its duty towards our country and people. It will propose a candidate for President of the Republic who has the guarantees, good reputation and qualitative characteristics to bring democratic and progressive change to our country. We all have a role to play and a voice in this call of struggle. Our struggle for a better Cyprus moves the citizens today and creates a majority current to bring real Change!