A political crisis has erupted in Cyprus after the main opposition Democratic Rally (DISY) decided to abandon the National Council advisory body on the Cyprus problem.
The move, announced Tuesday by party leader Nicos Anastassiades, was condemned by the ruling parties saying that DISY, that was among the parties that accepted a United Nations peace plan two years ago, was undermining efforts to restart Cyprus peace talks.
The ruling parties accused DISY of a ploy just ahead of the parliamentary elections on May 21, where the opposition party is expected to retain its 28-30% voter strength.
The decision follows statements by Greens deputy George Perdikis on Sunday, saying that the National Council, which comprises all parliamentary groups and advises the president on the unresolved Cyprus question, was like a “chicken coop.”
His statements brought about a barrage of criticism from all parties, but they all agreed that the National Council had its failings and confidential papers were leaked to the press and subsequently to Turkey, compromising Cyprus’ position in efforts to revive the stalled U.N. peace talks.
Anastassiades, who heads the Cyprus member of the European Popular Party, said that Perdikis’ statements were not the reason that pushed his party to walk out of the body.
“President Tassos Papadopoulos is not informing us of all developments and his position on the Cyprus question. There is no dialogue and misleading leaks suggest we are pressuring the President to accept a new mediation effort,” Anastassiades said.
“He has evaded convening the National Council saying said that there was no time prior to his meeting with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan next week,” the DISY leader said.
“We proposed in a letter to the President last October to reform the National Council, but nothing has been done, and we have reached the present sorry state of this body that has lost public trust,” Anastassiades added.
Government spokesman Yiorgos Lillykas said that the President thought it wise to consider the National Council’s reform after the elections, when the structure of the House of Representatives would be clearer with new members.
He said Papadopoulos responded to the DISY letter three days after it was sent and that the President had agreed an overhaul of the National Council was necessary.
