

Onasagoras
“The DISY party was not created to serve anyone’s personal ambitions!” Now, this, in theory, a self-evident statement, could have been uttered by anyone and wouldn’t raise an eyebrow. But when it comes out of Nikos Anastasiades’ mouth, it takes on an altogether different meaning. The declaration was accompanied by a promise, some say a threat, that he’ll begin “frequent interventions” because, apparently, DISY has veered off course. Uh-oh. God save Queen Annita.
That the party train has derailed is hardly up for debate; the real question is who exactly drove it off the tracks and with what actions. Is Nikos himself really so free of blame that he gets to wag his finger at everyone else? Thorny question, but one that many would answer quickly and clearly. No finger pointing, please.
The national influencer wasn’t too pleased with the jabs, even if most of the arrows were clearly aimed at the Fox of Argaka. The big question still making the rounds in party circles: if Nikaros had to choose between Christodoulides and Annita, who would he back and why? Rhetorical question, of course. Mostly irrelevant now. Let’s not forget: the “Mafia State” report is expected soon. Whatever it ends up saying, rightly or wrongly, many have already made up their minds. And that, dear Nikos, is worth reflecting on.
“The DISY party was not created to serve anyone’s personal ambitions.” -Nikos Anastasiades
As for Judge Varosiotou, we still don’t know, because it hasn’t been made public, why she wasn’t made permanent. Maybe the reasons are valid. But sadly, a big chunk of the public is now deeply cynical about our justice system (and not without reason), and that cynicism, fair or not, often clouds our judgment. Reform is necessary. But for the love of God, let it not be like the disaster we called “Local Government Reform.”
Today I read, fool that I am, how much it’s going to cost to run the infamous new District Local Government Authorities, and I was floored. We’re talking salaries, perks, and benefits that, in some cases, border on the obscene. And let’s not even get into the deputy mayors, whom we’re paying while we figure out, someday, maybe, what exactly their jobs will be. I have just one request for the masterminds who gave birth to these Frankenstein versions of local governance, where we’ll pay 15 to save 5: Please, don’t save us again. No more reforms that drag us “forward” when a cliff lies ahead. Enough.
Now the Mayor of Strovolos is yelling that a whole billion is being allocated to projects in Nicosia city and district, but nothing’s coming their way. First of all, judging by how projects in the capital usually go (our recent trauma with Eleftheria Square is still fresh), do you really want that kind of pain? I think not.
Then again, dear Strovolians, if you truly wanted a slice of that billion (even the crumbs falling off Nicosia’s table), then maybe, just maybe, you should have elected Papacharalambous as mayor, who happens to be a friend of the President. You didn’t, and you shot yourselves in the foot. Because there’s a very real chance you’re being snubbed out of pure spite. Duh.
*This opinion was translated from its Greek original.