Onasagoras
We all remember the former Auditor General’s infamous visit to the presidential bedroom and the rumors about curtains and a €100,000 renovation. It was a case that straddled the line between overzealous auditing and outright populism, with the red line between the two almost impossible to spot.
Yesterday, the internet lit up with a new revelation from the current Auditor General, (yes, that’s worth noting too), this time pointing to a €70,000 makeover of the Parliament cafeteria and a three-day trip to London by the House President and her entourage of eight, racking up a €15,000 bill. Her opponents had a field day, flooding social media with posts decrying the extravagance. Some even went as far as to portray her as a modern-day Marie Antoinette. “Let them eat cake,” as the saying goes, if there's no bread to be found.
Supporters were quick to counter: this wasn’t even Annita’s call, since such matters are handled by Parliament’s administration. They also reminded us that she was the first person in her position to give up a series of perks to save public funds. Who else has done the same? And while we’re at it, how much are other top officials spending on similar trips, plus their entourages? That’s something we’d really like to know. Let’s lay it all bare. They stopped short of calling her 'Evita Perón', but you know what...they have a point.
I get the strong sense that all this is steeped in populism with a whiff of election fever in the air, but public anger over the state’s lavish spending of taxpayers’ money must lead to a deeper reckoning. We need to rethink how these trips are decided. Right now, it seems like we’re dashing off to anyone who sends an invite. It’s time to reevaluate the allowances, the travel buddies, and just how many people need to tag along.
We’re a small, semi-occupied country with big problems. Our behavior should reflect that reality. Glitz and glamour don’t suit us. They only stir up resentment. The travel party has to stop somewhere. The party is over.
Meanwhile, I read that at an official dinner (makes you wonder what they serve at the unofficial ones) of the Cyprus Land and Building Developers Association, the President of the Republic said he "hopes" for a decrease in rent and property prices in the coming years. Notice the word "hopes." As in, “I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come, amen.” Remember when we were told to "hope" for lower electricity prices? That worked out great, didn’t it?
And as if we didn’t have enough on our plate, our beloved Christoforos has now announced he’s under pressure to start a political movement. As much as he doesn’t want to, it looks like he’ll cave in. That would put him at odds with some of his old pals like Fidias and Odysseas. Because while many have hated money, no one has ever hated a bit of glory.
