2024: A year of change and controversy in Cyprus

2024 was a year of upheaval and drama for Cyprus, marked by significant changes, political reshuffling, court decisions, and constitutional challenges. The events listed below highlight some of the most important moments that defined the year.

Government reshuffle

The year began with a shake-up in the Cypriot government, as President Christodoulides made significant changes to his cabinet. These adjustments came just before the first anniversary of his presidency, as his administration began to show signs of struggle. During his election campaign, he had set high expectations, but as 2024 progressed, it became clear that some of those goals were not being met. Among the key changes, Vassilis Palma was appointed Minister of Defense, and Maria Panayiotou took over the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment. In addition, Mario Hartsiotis replaced Koukkidou-Prokopiou as Minister of Justice, and Michalis Damianos was appointed to head the Ministry of Health.

Major delays and setbacks of government projects come to light

The Christodoulides administration also faced major setbacks in its handling of government projects in 2024. Several high-profile projects, which citizens had been taxed for, were delayed or collapsed. These included the Larnaca Port and Marina project, the Vasilikos terminal, the e-justice system (which cost millions but never worked), and the Paphos-Polis road. Other troubled projects included the Fishing Reserve and the Liopetri River. With 2025 approaching, there were hopes for progress, but these projects had become a major headache for the government.

The Avakoum Monastery scandal emerges

In one of the most significant scandals of the year, the Church of Cyprus found itself embroiled in a financial crisis linked to the activities of monks at the Monastery of Saint Avakoum in Fterikoudi. Police uncovered a range of financial crimes, including the seizure of an €807,000 safe and disturbing footage of monks engaging in unacceptable activity. In November, the Holy Synod upheld the decision to remove the monks from their positions and relocate them to different monasteries. Investigations are ongoing, and further developments are expected in 2025.

Auditor General, Odysseas Michaelides, suspended

A landmark decision in 2024 was the suspension of Odysseas Michaelides, the head of the Legal and Audit Office, for misconduct. The Supreme Court ruled unanimously on September 18 that Michaelides was unfit for office, citing poor judgment and lack of empathy. This decision ended a long-standing dispute between Michaelides and the Attorney General's office. Following the ruling, Michaelides expressed interest in pursuing politics, with an eye on the 2028 presidential election. He has since filed an appeal with the European Court of Human Rights regarding his suspension.

Police Chief dismissed

The police force also underwent significant changes in 2024 due to rising crime rates, incidents of violence, and notable failures in law enforcement. These issues culminated in the dismissal of Chief of Police Stelios Papatheodorou and Assistant Chief Dimitris Demetriou. One major incident leading to their removal was the escape of a high-profile criminal during a police supervised visit with his family. Other incidents, such as mishandling sports match security and delayed responses to a tragic femicide in Paphos, also contributed to the decision.

Fidias Panayiotou elected

The 9 June elections will be remembered for the unexpected success of Phidias Panayiotou, a YouTuber with little political experience. Despite openly declaring himself as politically uninformed, he managed to gather 71,330 votes (19.36%), nearly securing a spot among the top contenders, just behind the major parties, DISY and AKEL. Phidias's election highlighted a growing trend of social media personalities entering politics, leading to widespread discussions about the future of political campaigns and whether traditional parties can effectively compete against such figures.

Thanasis Nicolaou’s family vindicated

2024 brought closure to a long-standing case regarding the death of National Guardsman Thanasis Nikolaou. After nearly two decades of legal battles, the death investigator's conclusion confirmed that Thanasis's death was the result of strangulation, and it was deemed a criminal act. This decision brought some justice to his family, who had long fought for recognition of the true cause of his death. The case also raised questions about the handling of the investigation, with the Legal Service coming under scrutiny. The Supreme Court rejected an appeal to annul the ruling in December, marking a significant moment in the case.

The historic visit to the White House

Another key moment of 2024 was President Christodoulides’s historic visit to the White House. As the third Cypriot president to visit the U.S. Presidential Palace, Christodoulides met with President Joe Biden. The meeting underscored the growing relationship between Cyprus and the United States, particularly through the strategic dialogue between the two countries. A significant aspect of the visit was the discussion on Cyprus’s potential accession to NATO, a topic that sparked both support and opposition within Cyprus's political landscape.

The CSA Sports award fiasco

In 2024, the Cyprus Sportswriters Association (CSA) decided to suspend the awards of two prominent sports journalists, Fanis Makridis and Michalis Papageorgiou. This decision created controversy, with claims of external interference in the awards process. The issue was further discussed by the Institutional Committee, which raised concerns about freedom of the press and undue influence from sports stakeholders. The controversy came at a time when the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) was already under scrutiny over separate issues.

Constitutional aberrations in Parliament

December 5 saw a significant constitutional issue in the Cypriot Parliament. The President of the Parliament, Annita Demetriou, publicly criticized the devaluation of the institution after lawmakers struggled to meet the required quorum for a constitutional amendment. Demetriou admitted that the proceedings were rushed, contributing to a constitutional anomaly. While some called for the postponement of the vote, others argued that the decision was made in haste, undermining the legislative process. This event raised questions about the credibility and professionalism of the parliamentary system.

The Cyprus Problem returns to the spotlight

The Cyprus problem was back in the spotlight in 2024, with the Christodoulides government seeking to revitalize efforts to resolve the long-standing issue. A significant moment came in October during an informal trilateral meeting in New York, where the leaders of Cyprus, Greece, and Turkey met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. This meeting marked a turning point in international efforts to address the Cyprus issue, with plans for further talks scheduled for early 2025.

Other notable events

In addition to the events above, several other milestones marked Cyprus’s internal governance. These included agreements on the development of a cable car system, the creation of the Deputy Ministry of Immigration, the humanitarian aid initiative Amalthea, advancements in Cyprus's air defense, and the growth of the Cypriot economy. As the year concluded, the government set its sights on improving citizens' well-being and addressing the Cyprus deadlock.

2024 was undeniably a year of change, challenges, and political developments for Cyprus. As the country looks to 2025, it faces a crucial year for its future governance and international positioning.