“Think about it – Abstention harms you: 11+ 1 reasons why AKEL is different…” by Haris Karamanos, member of the C.C. of AKEL

Thursday, 7th January 2016

Attitudes like “All of them are the same. Whatever may happen, nothing will change” are being voiced in many quarters of Cypriot society.

However, is that really the case? Are all the parties the same or not? Do the policies of the Parties differ from each other or do they change accordingly when elections are approaching?

Let’s start from the beginning.

There is only one Parliament. In it one can nevertheless see the big number of differences between the parties. One can see what parties vote or don’t vote for? You can see substantive policies and class differences, who and what interests parties serve and how steadfast and consistent are political parties’ positions.

We need to give answers to all these questions. Below I have sought to outline on the one hand what the parties voted for in recent years in relation to certain important Bills that were tabled in Parliament and on the other hand to point out that Parties vote according to the class and social strata which each one serves separately.

1. Protection of worker’s Providence Funds after the haircut on bank deposits imposed by the government:

IN FAVOUR: AKEL, Ecologists

AGAINST: governing DISY party, Democratic Party (DIKO), Socialdemocratic Party (EDEK)

2. Vote on Austerity Budgets:

IN FAVOUR: DISY / DIKO

AGAINST: AKEL / EDEK / Ecologists

3. Taxation of Immovable Property:

IN FAVOUR: DISY / DIKO / EDEK

AGAINST: AKEL / Ecologists

4. Protection of primary Family homes and small business premises:

IN FAVOUR: AKEL / EDEK / Ecologists

AGAINST: DISY / DIKO

5. Fees in Public Health:

IN FAVOUR: DISY / DIKO

AGAINST: AKEL / EDEK / Ecologists

6. Curbing of student grants:

IN FAVOUR: DISY / DIKO / Citizens’ Alliance.

AGAINST: AKEL / EDEK / Ecologists

7. Promotion of an Insolvency and Foreclosure Framework:

IN FAVOUR: DISY / DIKO / Citizens’ Alliance / EDEK

AGAINST: AKEL

8. Privatisations:

IN FAVOUR: DISY / DIKO / Citizens’ Alliance

AGAINST: AKEL

9. Cyprus’ accession to the so-called Partnership for Peace:

IN FAVOUR: DISY / DIKO / Citizens’ Alliance / EDEK

AGAINST: AKEL

10. Increase in the retirement age:

IN FAVOUR: DISY / DIKO / Citizens’ Alliance

AGAINST: AKEL / EDEK

11. Extension of shop opening hours:

IN FAVOUR: DISY

AGAINST: AKEL / DIKO / EDEK / Citizens’ Alliance / Ecologists

And +1 reason, the construction of the Chrysou factory in Aradippou

IN FAVOUR: DISY / DIKO

AGAINST: AKEL / EDEK

These are just some of the Bills that show in practice that AKEL was not, is not and never will be the same as the other parties. Therefore those who are thinking about saying that we won’t be voting for anyone, should think again.

Abstention was never an opinion because if it was then it would bother the bankers who have impoverished our people; because if it was an opinion, it would bother the big business groups, where workers are working 10 and 12 hours a day and taking home 500 euros.

And YOU who are saying that you couldn’t care less, in a relaxed and carefree way, should know one thing, namely that since you don’t get involved or concern yourself, somebody else will bother and affect you and these others are the government and DISY party who are taking your house away, taking the bread from your plate, the ones who are forcing you to emigrate abroad, who tomorrow will hold you hostage and trap you in all the false pledges and cunning games they will play with you.

Come with us to fight for a human society through a militant and assertive life stand. No victory for the rights of peoples has ever been granted, quite simply because nothing is ever gained, if you remain a simple spectator. Everything changes, if you rise up…