AKEL renewed its criticism of the government on Saturday over appointments to the boards of semi-governmental organisations, accusing it of engaging in political patronage and favouring its own allies.
The party said the government’s explanations had failed to address the criticism surrounding the selections, claiming that President Nikos Christodoulides appeared more focused on the 2028 presidential election than on serving the public interest.
Government’s explanations rejected
In a statement issued following its criticism on Friday, AKEL said the government was becoming increasingly exposed as it attempted to defend the appointments.
“The more the government tries to find excuses for the plundering of appointments to the boards of semi-governmental organisations, the more it exposes itself,” the party said.
AKEL also directed its criticism personally at Christodoulides, arguing that the appointments contradicted his campaign promises on meritocracy.
“Nikos Christodoulides promised meritocracy, but ultimately surpassed even the previous DISY government in political patronage and cronyism,” it said.
Focus on the 2028 election
The party claimed that the President’s priority was the 2028 election rather than the public interest, which it said could be served by qualified and experienced people regardless of their political or ideological affiliation.
AKEL compared the situation to “a poor imitation” of the film All the President’s Men, adding: “And, of course, those of the governing parties.”
It concluded by questioning how long the chair and members of the Advisory Council would continue, in its words, to provide cover for the government’s “political patronage and cronyism”.
