CYPRUS: Paphos gets new mayor after corruption scandal

Municipal councilor Fedonas Fedonos, supported by the ruling Deemocratic Rally (DISY) party won Sunday’s mayoral by-election in Paphos, held after Savvas Vergas was forced to resign in early December, having faced several counts of corruption charges and involvement in a multi-million scandal surrounding the town’s sewerage project.

Fedonos said soon after he was declared winner in the election that he would appeal to all political parties and groups to work together to host the 2017 Cultural Capital events, a landmark for the coastal town.
His election with 49% of the poll should not be considered a victory for celebration as the voter turnout was a poorly 53%, disappointed by the involvement of all party councillors in the town’s scandals.
None of the incumbent municipal councillors has resigned his seat, even out of consideration to disgruntled voters, as the police investigations are focused on former municipal officers and managers of the sewerage system, as well as past councillors from DISY, as well as the opposition AKEL, DIKO and socialist EDEK.
Along with Vergas, police have charged the sewerage board director Eftychios Malekkides, former DIKO councillor Efstathios Efstathiou, former DISY councillor Giorgos Michaelides, former AKEL councillor Vasos Vasiliou and current AKEL councillor Giorgos Shiailis.