Apostolos Tomaras
The government is facing backlash over its handling of Sunday’s disruptive hunters’ protest, which saw major roads blocked and sparked widespread anger. What began as a demonstration over hunting regulations quickly escalated into a full-blown political controversy, with critics accusing authorities of bowing to pressure from protesters and failing to uphold public order.
A Protest That Shut Down a Highway
The uproar began when hunters, demanding changes to regulations affecting their sport, took matters into their own hands by blocking all four lanes of the Limassol-Nicosia highway. The resulting traffic chaos caused gridlock and frustration for thousands of drivers. The disruption was so severe that President Nikos Christodoulides personally intervened, contacting the United Cyprus Hunters Movement—a group that had supported his presidential bid.
However, instead of defusing the situation, his involvement only fueled criticism. Opposition parties accused the government of tolerating illegal and disruptive actions, while members of the public expressed outrage over the authorities' apparent reluctance to take control.
Government Caught in the Crossfire
Government sources denied claims that Christodoulides had promised the hunters a meeting at the Presidential Palace in exchange for lifting the blockade. They insisted that the President merely reminded the protesters that they were already in talks with the Ministry of Interior and urged them to leave the highway so discussions could continue.
Still, the perception that the government caved under pressure has left a political mess in its wake. While a meeting with Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou appeared to calm tensions temporarily, opposition parties and other stakeholders remain unconvinced. The issue is now set to spill over into Parliament, where another round of heated debate is expected.
For now, the hunters seem satisfied with what they heard from the government. However, Nicolas Prodromou, president of the United Cyprus Hunters Movement, warned that if there’s no progress on their demands, they will return—this time outside Parliament.
Police Under Fire
Adding to the controversy is the role of the police, who have been accused of failing to maintain order. Lawmakers and citizens alike criticized law enforcement for allowing a major highway to be shut down, especially at peak traffic hours.
DISY MP Nikos Tornaritis called the hunters’ actions “provocatively anti-social and unacceptable,” but reserved his harshest criticism for the police. “What’s even more concerning is the absence of law enforcement. Their job is to uphold legality and ensure free movement for all,” he said.
In response, the police defended their decision, citing a risk assessment that led them to allow the temporary road closures rather than risk escalating tensions.
What the Hunters Want
The hunters have laid out five key demands, which they say must be addressed:
- More dog training areas during the wildlife breeding season (March to July). Of the nearly 38,000 hunters who renewed their licenses for the 2024-2025 season, about 6,150 also applied for dog training permits.
- Harsher penalties for poaching and the introduction of a self-incrimination process for violators.
- Regulations on the breeding and trade of hares, ensuring better oversight.
- A fixed start date for hunting foxes and native game, preventing arbitrary changes to hunting laws.
- New rules on photovoltaic parks to ensure that state land is not used for projects that encroach on hunting areas.
During last week’s meetings, the government explained that certain hunting dog training areas had to be removed due to environmental concerns and pressure from the EU. However, it pledged to work with the Cyprus Hunting Federation to identify alternative locations.
As for photovoltaic parks, the Interior Ministry assured hunters that no new licenses would be granted for state land, and only pre-approved applications would proceed.
What’s Next?
While Sunday’s protest has subsided, the controversy is far from over. The debate is set to continue in Parliament, and if hunters feel their demands aren’t met, they’ve made it clear they’ll be back—this time, outside the House of Representatives.
For now, the government is walking a fine line between addressing the hunters’ concerns and avoiding the impression that it’s giving in to strong-arm tactics. Whether this delicate balancing act holds remains to be seen.
*This article was translated from its Greek original
