CLOSE
Loading...
12° Nicosia,
15 July, 2026
 
Home  /  Comment  /  Opinion

MAGA: Make Averof Great Again!

An ironic look at Cyprus politics on Valentine's Day!

Onasagoras

Onasagoras

Never before has the slogan of DISY ''seismos seismos, Synagermos'' (or roughly translated: ''earthquake, earthquake, Alarm'') been more fitting than in the days we're living through now (It does sound better in Greek though don't you agree?). This is because the seismic tremors that began with Christodoulides’ candidacy (with ongoing aftershocks ever since, comparable to what we see in Santorini) may reach their peak tomorrow at the big DISY (Democratic Rally) Congress. The topics to be discussed are endless, with hidden agendas that, as time passes, are not so hidden anymore.

I would compare the situation to Annita being asked to walk through a sandstorm and emerge unscathed, with her hair perfectly styled, which, of course, is practically impossible. Uncomfortable topics will be discussed, inevitable tensions will arise, and, worst of all, not everything can be postponed indefinitely. At some point, painful decisions will have to be made, and some DISY members, officials, or supporters will be left unhappy.

The Fox from Argaka (Averof Neofytou), who, to be fair, paid the price either for the mistakes of others or for the unpopular positions he’s occasionally expressed, seems to have learned from those who defeated him and is now applying their strategy. Our national retiree and the blonde influencer watch in discomfort as Averof engages in an apolitical guerrilla war, vanishing whenever there's a hot potato and appearing only in quick strikes, suddenly attacking and firing (just like the 'armatlokoi' and 'klephtes', bandits of old), before quickly returning to the safety of his hideout.

His hideout, of course, is for obvious reasons. This time, he found himself in New York, his favorite cosmopolitan destination after Argaka. From the safety of a distance, he managed to draw attention to himself with a viral post. In it, he claims, among other things: “The Pakistani taxi driver voted for Trump to keep other foreigners out of America. The waitress is waiting to see tax cuts now that tips won’t be taxed anymore, while the businessman sees his store full and his customers spending more.” I am speechless.

He ends with a wish that MAGA (Make America Great Again) won’t lead to MES (Make Europe Smaller). You quickly double-check to make sure this post didn’t come from Fidias, and then try to decipher it. The message is controversial, more complicated than hieroglyphs.

Although it’s not explicitly stated – to use the favored expression of young Nikos (Christodoulides) – it’s clear that Foulis (Averof) has been profoundly influenced by Trumpism and is probably a closet Trump supporter. Perhaps there’s even a subtle thought that MAGA (Make Averof Great Again) could lead to MASA (Make Annita Small Again). We shall see.

*This article was translated from its Greek original

TAGS
Cyprus  |  opinion  |  Politics

Opinion: Latest Articles

The public warmth between Donald Trump and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan says more about today's strategic landscape than Nicosia's expectations. Photo credit: AFP via turkiyetoday.com

The navel of the world

Cyprus risks mistaking diplomatic optimism for geopolitical reality as the EU's priorities increasingly center on Turkey. ...
Pavlos Xanthoulis
 |  OPINION
The unanswered questions that have haunted soldiers and refugees for decades continue to point one man toward faith.

Bullets are not spared...

A new memoir revisits the impossible choices of the 1974 war through one survivor's personal testimony.
Opinion
 |  OPINION
America's constitutional checks will be crucial ahead of the 2027 French presidential election and future global stability. Photo credit: www.nato.int

Whatever happens in Ankara...

Trump's praise for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan leaves Athens with little room to respond through traditional ...
Opinion
 |  OPINION
Competing calendars and weaponized histories manufacture the illusion of an inevitable final conflict. Image from The Crusader Bible at The Blanton Museum of Arts

Reality or narratives?

Our obsession with historical cycles blinds us to the present reality in the Middle East.
Opinion
 |  OPINION
How Cyprus turned a simple commute into a daily battle, and why making driving inconvenient is our only way out. File photo

From dead end to one-way street

Between smartphone-blind pedestrians and traffic-choked streets, it is time to admit our car dependency has hit rock bottom. ...
Paris Demetriades
 |  OPINION
Critics argue the reform is designed to deliver immediate political gains while postponing the difficult decisions needed to secure future generations' retirement prospects.

Limited-liability pension reform

Government proposals promise higher benefits and lower early-retirement penalties, but questions remain about the long-term ...
Opinion
 |  OPINION
As questions mount for former president Nicos Anastasiades, Cyprus faces a larger reckoning over accountability, institutional trust, and political culture. File photo

The report is only the beginning

The findings point to possible corruption at the highest levels of public life, but the challenge now is ensuring a credible ...
Opinion
 |  OPINION
A growing list of America's partners have learned how quickly loyalty can be discarded. File photo Pixabay

Where are the Iranians?

As Iran falls silent after military strikes, those who hoped for liberation are left with uncertainty, fear and unanswered ...
Opinion
 |  OPINION
A reality check for us Cypriots

A reality check for us Cypriots

The findings of the anti-corruption authority challenge both our blind trust in institutions and our claims that everyone ...
Thanasis Photiou
 |  OPINION
Does money bring happiness?

Does money bring happiness?

A reflection on village memories, Cypriot flavours and modern dining shows that while wealth is debatable, a good meal always ...
Michalis Michaelides
 |  OPINION
The question is not whether change is coming, but how Cyprus responds. Photo credit: www.consilium.europa.eu

Veto or not?

Cyprus risks losing influence if it remains attached to an outdated view of the veto.
Opinion
 |  OPINION
Social Media photo courtesy Visit Cyprus

Coffee shop conversations

How a village café becomes the heartbeat of community life, memory, and everyday connection in rural Cyprus.
Michalis Michaelides
 |  OPINION
X