Apostolis Tomaras
If a governing coalition in a state aspiring to be European were to make as many mistakes and omissions as the Christodoulides government has in just six months, it would face strong opposition.
In any democratic regime, opposition is essential to keep the government accountable and ensure it operates according to the law and the state's interests, not nepotism. This holds true even for issues related to the Cyprus problem.
President Christodoulides was elected under the promise of being a strong political figure, backed by the European Council, with a focus on Euro-Turkish relations and upgrading the customs union, but these promises seem unlikely to materialize.
His ministers also have their share of issues. Minister of Justice Anna Koukkidi Prokopiou mishandled reactions to the migration issue in Chlorakas and Limassol. Health Minister Popi Kanari seems to believe that the Cyprus Constitution allows her to replace competent authorities to investigate the authenticity of her director general's degrees.
Deputy Minister of Tourism Kostas Koumis chose a 19-year-old as his partner, who inadvertently participated in Nikos Christodoulides' election campaign. Deputy Minister of Innovation Filippos Hadjizaharias seems disconnected from his portfolio.
These issues are compounded by resignations from the Deputy Ministry of Culture and the position of deputy government representative over overtime concerns. Government representative Konstantinos Letymbiotis even suggested that criticism of ministers is unwarranted.
In any other EU member state, such a track record in just six months would lead to fractures within the governing coalition, and even the opposition would be more active. It's worth noting that opposition figures like Stefanos Stefanou would seek to engage civil society and offer a modern, open-minded Left Party, moving beyond partisan politics.
Annita Demetriou, on the other hand, needs more than awakening. She needs tutorials to improve her political speech, especially when it comes to the Cyprus problem and Euro-Turkish issues. Her gaps and weaknesses reflect poorly on the party she leads.
In conclusion, Cyprus may have a unique political landscape, but it's essential to maintain accountability and transparency, even in the face of significant challenges. Happy birthday to the Republic of Cyprus!
[This article was translated from its Greek original]
