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Whenever a political party starts grumbling about the lack of meritocracy and transparency in public appointments, uncontrolled spending and activities of state officials, it would be refreshing if one of these politicians admitted they had sought favours (let’s not mention the key phrase “coverup”), simply to appease public opinion.
Usually, it’s opposition parties accusing an incumbent of wrongdoing, if not doing something illegal, then probably doing something unethical.
This week alone, we were told of key promotions at state-controlled Cyta, where the ‘right candidates’ were undone because pro-Disy personnel got the job by instructions from the board.
Days earlier, although the Rural Development Commissioner said he did not get paid a penny for his services, three of his staff were exposed as earning about 18K and 19K each, while a few weeks back there was noise about the fees of consultants and advisors at the Presidential Palace.
In one report on the Palace budget, it was interesting to note that the bulk of the catering spending went to a specific restaurant in Limassol, almost 10 times more than any other service provider in the sector.
Naturally, this favouritism is not exclusive to the Anastasiades administration, even though they seem to have perfected the art.
Years back, when Disy was in opposition, then-party leader Nicos Anastasiades would accuse Presidents Christofias and Papadopoulos of nepotism and corruption when it came to favoured promotions and appointments, and one would expect nothing less.
This will endure for as long as voters continue to go to the polls like sheep to elect the same old parties and politicians, regardless if a candidate is the best person for public office.
The Auditor-General should be taken more seriously by the executive, instead of becoming confrontational, while the fourth estate, the media, should also be allowed to investigate and publish freely, as long as it is in the public interest.
Tassos Papadopoulos and Demetris Christofias were known to have an axe to grind with parts of the ‘biased media’ as they would be called, to smear the work of the investigative reporter, be it from a local newspaper or even the Financial Times.
Unfortunately, Anastasiades, as much as he tries to present himself as a true democrat, has fallen into that category of media-bashing, with his innuendos of “I know who’s behind it” and “they should be careful” threats, over the OCCRP report linking his former law office with the Troika Laundromat several years back and the preferential treatment given to a few to acquire Cypriot passports.
The irony is that the OCCRP report also admitted that Anastasiades had not broken any law, but the report clearly left a smudge on his name and his diminishing reputation.
Sadly, genuine political refugees, asylum seekers or deserving long-term residents who have been contributing to society for years are hassled tremendously until they get their Cypriot citizenship, while others get it literally overnight, on the behest of a foreign politician or bank account.
Although this will earn the state some quick money to close the fiscal gap (and civil service payroll), it does greater harm than good in attracting proper investors to the island, who have become a species nearing extinction.
