Parliament in turmoil over Great Sea Interconnector

Cyprus is facing significant political upheaval over the Great Sea Interconnector, a major project intended to bring affordable electricity to the island. With the decision deadline looming tomorrow, there is still no scheduled Cabinet meeting to finalize the issue.

The controversy centers around a letter signed by Parliament Speaker Anita Demetriou, reportedly drafted by either Averof Neofytou, Kyriakos Hatzigiannis, or both. The letter, sent to the Presidential Office, has sparked widespread reactions from lawmakers across various parties.

DISY MPs are particularly vocal, alleging that Neofytou and Hatzigiannis effectively wrote the letter and pushed for it to be signed and sent to President Christodoulides. The letter raises concerns about the government's potential decision to spend €25 million annually on the project. DISY members are expected to debate the issue, given the party's previous support for the project and calls for swift action.

AKEL also voiced strong objections, with MPs criticizing the letter’s content and style. Party member Andreas Pasiourtides emphasized AKEL’s support for the interconnector and expressed frustration that the letter did not reflect this stance.

In DIKO, confusion reigns as MPs question the letter's purpose. MP Chrisis Pantelidis publicly opposed the letter’s tone and content, arguing that the focus should remain on advancing the interconnection project rather than engaging in political disputes.

The Presidential Office is under intense pressure as the Cabinet struggles to make a decision before the deadline. The government is awaiting further details on the cost and financial risks from CERA (Cyprus' Energy Regulatory Authority), ADMIE in Greece, and Brussels, which supports the project. Concerns are also being raised about potential Turkish obstruction and associated costs.

This situation has reignited discussions about the project's benefits, with some revisiting past statements from Kyriakos Hatzigiannis. Two years ago, Hatzigiannis championed the EuroAsia Interconnector as a strategic energy project. However, his recent comments have criticized the project, leaving DISY officials and others questioning which stance to believe.

[With information from CNA]