The government has revised its explanation of President Nicos Christodoulides’ statement that he “did not know” about the planned purchase of a new armoured limousine, for which €595,000 has been earmarked. Deputy Government Spokesman Yiannis Antoniou acknowledged that the wording could be considered incorrect, saying the president knew about the proposal but not the vehicle’s specifications.
Speaking on Omega Channel’s Enimerosi Tora programme, Antoniou said Christodoulides was aware of the intention and recommendation of the relevant state services but had not been informed of the purchase’s technical details.
President knew about the proposal
Asked what exactly the president had not known, given that the request was approved by the Council of Ministers before being submitted to Parliament, Antoniou said mistakes should be acknowledged.
“We must be accurate and honest and recognise mistakes when they are made,” he said.
According to Antoniou, the president meant that he was unaware of the vehicle’s technical details and specifications.
“Every decision that goes before the Council of Ministers is communicated to all its members. The president knew about the intention and the recommendation of the relevant security departments, but he did not know the specifications, when it would be purchased or what it would include. It is not his job to know these details,” Antoniou said.
Asked whether the president’s phrase “I did not know” was therefore a mistaken formulation, Antoniou replied: “You could put it that way, yes.”
What the €595,000 allocation covers
Antoniou said the €595,000 amount was included in the proposal submitted to the Council of Ministers.
He said the president did not examine the details because the proposal had been prepared by civil servants, specifically the Department of Electrical and Mechanical Services.
According to Antoniou, the amount earmarked includes room for negotiation, as well as spare parts and equipment.
He also stressed that the new armoured limousine was not being purchased for Christodoulides personally, but for the requirements of the presidency. The vehicle would also be used to transport foreign leaders visiting Cyprus.
Wear on the existing presidential vehicle
Antoniou said the existing presidential vehicle was purchased in 2019.
According to him, it has sustained significant wear because of the many hours it has been in use.
Concerns over confidential document leak
Antoniou also expressed the Presidential Palace’s strong displeasure over the leak of the confidential document submitted to the House Finance Committee concerning the purchase.
He said journalistic reporting on matters of public interest was respected but argued that issues affecting state security should be handled confidentially.
Antoniou also suggested that political motives may have been behind the document’s leak from Parliament.
