We are not all the same… – Article by Giorgos Loucaides, AKEL Political Bureau member
23rd May 2021, ‘Haravgi’ newspaper
In a previous article, we presented facts and evidence on how different AKEL’s stand was on developments regarding the Cyprus problem from that of the Anastasiades-DISY government with AKEL’s positions and warnings unfortunately vindicated and with a national ‘tsounami” of negative developments not imminent, but already happening.
The situation is similar as regards internal governance, where AKEL’s different approaches are confirmed.
The Anastasiades-DISY government imposed the model of a “get-rich-quick” predatory economy, based on the rotten industry of the “golden” passports. All these years, AKEL has been advocating the need for a new viable economic model that would promote green development and the economy’s digital transformation, so that quality jobs can be created and for the wealth produced to be more equitably distributed.
The DISY leadership insisted until the very end on the fragility of the citizenship for investment program, maintaining it as a consumer program of luxury real estate, despite Cyprus having been repeatedly shamed internationally. AKEL was the only party that in July 2020, consistent with the stand it took from the very beginning, voted against the government’s weakened regulations for issuing passports.
The DISY government sold off the Cyprus Cooperative Bank committing a premeditated crime, sacrificing it to serve private commercial banks. AKEL, both inside and outside Parliament, fought to save this huge social gain of the people, while today it is working to re-establish it.
Ruling DISY is still seeking to privatize all profitable semi-governmental organisations. AKEL took the lead and managed, together with other political forces, to prevent any further privatizations.
AKEL all these years has pushed the need for working people who are not covered by collective agreements to be protected through legislation for minimum terms of employment to be ensured, such as the guarantee of a 13th month salary, Provident Fund and so on. However, the DISY Government still opposes all these proposals. Correspondingly, there is no change and we are also demanding the abolition of the unjust and leveling penalty of 12% for those choosing to retire at 63.
The government ruling forces and DISY leadership denigrated teachers and public schools, as well as health professionals and the public health system, insulting their dignity and provoking unprecedented mass mobilizations. AKEL was on their side, in solidarity with their just struggle for the protection of public health and education.
The government ruling forces took away so many rights from borrowers, to the extent that they themselves admitted that they were tired of passing laws in favor of the banks. AKEL remained unwaveringly on borrowers’ side, and to this day we are struggling to restore their curbed rights and at the same time to combat the impunity and abusive practices of banks to the detriment of the people.
The DISY government has clashed with almost all institutions and independent officials and even worse, through regime-type mentalities, has attempted and/or succeeded in leading to the dismissal or resignation of all those who didn’t comply with its instructions. AKEL, first and sometimes alone, fought to defend institutions and the rule of law, for accountability, transparency and scrutiny by tabling numerous draft bills.
The picture is similar for the young people and students, in general for the vulnerable groups of the population and especially for the disabled. For small and medium-sized enterprises and the self-employed. For the 4,500 teachers of Education Ministry’s the evening and afternoon programs, who are demonstrating in the streets again these days. For culture and art workers. For the refugees and farmers. For the protection of nature and the environment.
Citizens, in the run-up to the elections, must judge who was on their side and who stood against their rights and needs. To judge whether they will approve or disapprove of everything that in recent years has plunged the country to an endless downhill path, accumulating deadlocks. For that reason, those who consider it imperative that this downhill path must end, that the rights of the many – the underprivileged – should be protected and expanded, that the prospect of progressive change should be strengthened, can express it in the most effective way by voting for AKEL Only in this way will their message shake the Anastasiades-DISY government in a powerful way.
