The government insists on bringing back the rejected privatisations bill

 

  

Statement by Georgios Loucaides, AKEL C.C. Press Spokesperson

  AKEL expresses its strong opposition to the brining back of the rejected Bill for privatization in the House of Representatives.

As AKEL, we have already sent a letter to Speaker of the House of Representatives pointing out that such an action is in conflict with the rules of the House, urging him not to accept the tabling and registration of the topic for discussion.

However, besides the seriousness of the legal aspect of the issue there is an institutional and political aspect that is even more serious.

The practice of the government to resubmit the same Bill with decorative changes just hours after the rejection isn’t just disrespectful to the House of Representatives; it humiliates institutions, constitutes a blow against democracy and degrades the dignity of citizens and society.

The government and ruling powers, in their attempt to impose their ideological dogmatism and serve local and foreign big private interests are cultivating a climate of fear and fatalism among citizens. They are attempting to develop a climate of servility/submission among the people, submitting that there is absolutely no room for negotiation and assertion whatsoever.

However, if that is how things stand, the devastating question that subsequently arises is when were the Government and the Democratic Rally party lying to the people? When they were shamelessly indulging in rampant populism and mocking them? When they were giving pledges during the pre-election campaign against privatization and in favour of an assertive stand towards the Troika? Or today when they are cultivating submission and fatalism?

The people certainly know the answer. The government and ruling forces were not telling the truth, neither before the elections, nor are they telling the truth today. They are simply continuing to behave in the same irresponsible manner towards society and the country.

As back then and indeed now, what determines the actions and rhetoric of the Anastasiades Government and DISY party is the fulfilment of the objective for the redistribution of wealth in our country to the benefit of big private interests.

We reiterate once again our appeal to the Government to respect Parliament’s decision and call on the political parties and social partners to wage a dialogue in order to seek alternative solutions to fulfil our debt obligations.

In such a case, we underline once again our readiness to contribute constructively to the submission of concrete recommendations and proposals.