Political parties focused their criticism yesterday on a video created by the president of Direct Democracy together with the new Speaker of the House shortly before Thursday’s election. Some parties raised concerns about seriousness and highlighted what they described as unworkable commitments attributed to DISY leader Annita Demetriou.
‘Populism’
Speaking on Omega’s Enimerosi Tora, AKEL secretary-general Stefanos Stefanou said the video represented the epitome of populism, arguing that it offered simplistic answers to very difficult problems. He stressed that policy proposals must be properly costed and pointed out that the House does not have the authority to implement such policies. Mr Stefanou added that, had he been in Annita Demetriou’s position, he would not have agreed to produce the video.
Blames TikTok
DIKO president Nikolas Papadopoulos addressed the reasons why no agreement was reached with direct democracy. Speaking to CyBC, Mr Papadopoulos said that during discussions with Fidias Panayiotou, proposals put forward by direct democracy on housing, support for low pensioners and assistance for families were examined, noting that these positions aligned with DIKO’s own policies. However, he said, "Mr Panayiotou’s demand was that TikTok videos be made with the government and ministers," adding that "our position was that, with all due respect, we can commit to matters concerning us, but we cannot commit on behalf of the President and ministers."
DISY’s position
DISY parliamentary spokesman Dimitris Demetriou, also speaking to CyBC, said the discussion should not focus on the content or existence of a video but on the policy issues raised during contacts. He argued that the key themes presented to Annita Demetriou had also been put to Nikolas Papadopoulos. He added that these demands reflect long-standing party priorities, stressing that neither Annita Demetriou nor DISY would undertake commitments that cannot be implemented or that conflict with the constitutional framework.
A DISY official told Politis that during discussions with Direct Democracy, questions were openly raised about whether certain proposals were feasible and how they could be implemented. The official added that the social policy issues raised by Fidias Panayiotou are also DISY positions. He clarified that there was convergence of views and a shared understanding of the need to achieve these objectives, rather than any binding commitment to implement them through legislative proposals in the House, as government decisions would be required.
Erotokritou favoured abstention
Regarding the stance taken by parties during the vote, DIKO deputy leader Christiana Erotokritou revealed yesterday on the radio programme Morning Briefing (107.6 and 97.6) that, during the joint meeting of the party’s secretariat and parliamentary group, she supported abstaining in the second round. She added that an overwhelming majority ultimately decided to back Annita Demetriou’s candidacy if that of Nikolas Papadopoulos did not proceed to the second round.
Asked to explain why DIKO chose to support Annita Demetriou in the second round, she said that "most of the time it is with the Democratic Rally that we secure the passage of important government bills," referring to cooperation between the two parties on a series of legislative measures.
