Political fallout continues over video linking Christodoulides to campaign funds

Political fallout continues over a video that surfaced on social media allegedly linking President Nikos Christodoulides to opaque fundraising practices during his election campaign.

The video appears to suggest that money was raised through the Independent Social Support Body, an organization chaired at the time by the president’s wife, Philippa Karsera Christodoulides. Since its release, political tensions have remained high, with the two main opposition parties, DISY and AKEL, showing no signs of backing down, both for political reasons and over the substance of the allegations.

By contrast, parties supporting the government appear more satisfied following the resignations of Karsera Christodoulides and Charalambos Charalambous and are expected to lower the tone in the coming days.

So far, however, the government has not offered a clear or convincing explanation for the content of the video. The presidential palace has repeatedly pointed to ongoing investigations by the police and the Attorney General’s Office.

The resignations

On Sunday, Philippa Karsera Christodoulides announced via social media that she had resigned as chair of the Independent Social Support Body. In the same post, she said she was also stepping down from all other charitable organizations where she served as executive chair.

Charalambos Charalambous also resigned from his post as director of the president’s office, announcing his decision through social media. He said that in recent days there has been a targeted effort to personally damage the president, undermine the government and harm Cyprus’ international image.

President Christodoulides, commenting in a written statement, described Charalambous’ resignation as an act of confidence and trust, calling his departure a loss of a valuable associate. According to information, Charalambous had submitted his resignation to the president immediately after the controversial video was leaked.

As for the Independent Social Support Body, President Christodoulides said on Monday, Jan. 12, that one option under consideration is its complete abolition. Political parties remain divided, some are leaning toward proposing changes to its structure through legislation, while others are calling for it to be scrapped altogether.

The investigations

Regarding the video, authorities in Nicosia initially requested assistance from Europol. Cyprus later sought support from the United States, Israel, the United Kingdom, and France.

Three individuals seen in the video have already given statements to police: former energy minister Giorgos Lakkotrypis, former presidential office director Charalambos Charalambous, and Cyfield CEO Giorgos Chrysochos. All three provided investigators with the information they had about their meetings with the supposed investors, which authorities are now assessing.

According to informed sources, the video shows signs of a coordinated Russian disinformation operation, with digital traces reportedly leading to locations including Spain and Azerbaijan.

Investigations are also continuing to identify the individual or individuals who were in contact with those shown in the video in order to determine how the alleged €150 million energy investment was staged. Police are focusing in particular on statements made by those who appear in the footage speaking with people presented as Dutch investors. One of them used the name “Florin Georgiou,” which authorities believe to be a pseudonym inspired by a well-known Romanian chess player.

How governing parties are handling the crisis

The resignation of Charalambous was among the issues discussed by senior figures of DIKO, party leader Nicolas Papadopoulos, Giorgos Solomidou and Panicos Leonidou, during a meeting with President Christodoulides at the presidential palace on Saturday. While his resignation was not presented as an ultimatum, party officials made clear it would help manage the crisis. DIKO has no intention, at this stage, of withdrawing from the government.

DIKO leader Marios Garoyian also spoke by phone with Giorgos Lakkotrypis, who heads the party’s energy sector, to discuss the developments. Party sources stress that DIKO had no contact whatsoever with potential investors.

In an official statement, DIPA said that no one is above the law and that transparency, accountability, and respect for institutions are non-negotiable principles in a democratic state.

Discussions have already taken place between Marios Garoyian and Alekos Tryfonidis on whether DIPA should become involved in parliamentary talks over the future of the Social Support Body and possible legislative proposals.

For the first time, President Christodoulides said on Monday that his initial instinct is to fully abolish the body. Under existing law, if the organization is dissolved, all its assets and funds would be transferred to the state treasury.

The body has already held its first meeting following the resignation of First Lady Philippa Karsera Christodoulides, with decisions expected to be made public in the coming hours.

In a statement issued after a meeting of its political bureau, EDEK called on the president to appoint independent criminal investigators through the Cabinet, abolish the Social Support Body, and transfer its mission and funds to the Cyprus State Scholarships Foundation.

EDEK said it will reassess the situation in the near future and may return with a new position, not ruling out the possibility of withdrawing its support for the Christodoulides government.

Notably, EDEK is the only one of the three parties backing the government that, so far, has had no direct communication with the president since the video was made public.

*Read the Greek version here.