The reactions of the government, the President of the Republic himself, his associates, and institutions that should, without evasion or delay, have made this issue a top priority, lead to the conclusion that Cypriot society is once again heading towards a total distortion of reality.
For the President and his team, there appears to be no question of taking political responsibility for what society is once again experiencing, or for witnessing a scandal that directly implicates the Executive.
Political earthquake
Twenty-four hours after the release of the video that triggered a political earthquake in Nicosia, Nikos Christodoulides presents himself almost as a victim of an attempt to tarnish his name.
“I call on anyone who has evidence regarding direct or indirect financial gain during my election campaign or while serving as President of the Republic to submit it immediately to the competent state authorities,” Christodoulides said yesterday afternoon. He added, with the tone of an untainted politician, that “I will not give anyone the right to accuse me of corruption.”
Based on these statements, Christodoulides sees no reason to dismiss his close associate and relative, insisting that he and his government will continue their investment programme as planned.
Indicative of the stance that no resignations are necessary is the clear statement by government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis, who, when asked to clarify whether there was an issue regarding the removal of the Director of the President’s Press Office, replied negatively: “There is no question of removal.”
No irregularities…!
This statement confirms that the government sees no wrongdoing or improper activity on the part of Charalambos Charalambous. In other words, the Presidential Palace simultaneously considers that it has no reason to address ethical or political responsibility issues, despite the clear and tangible evidence.
From the moment the video appeared, the line followed, according to government statements, leads to the conclusion that there will be no acknowledgement of the content or the conversations in the widely discussed video.
Undermining common sense
The Presidential Palace is attempting, in a clumsy manner and with a clear underestimation of common sense, to overturn the widespread perception:
That this case is not just a scandal. It is a blatant example of political denial of reality. An episode in which the Presidential Palace itself is at the centre of serious allegations of collusion, informal deals, and opaque funding, yet the government insists there is nothing amiss. In short, according to the government’s line, there is neither corruption nor collusion. Therefore, there is no reason for political reflection or resignations.
The realities of a video
The video now in the public domain does not come from rumours or anonymous complaints. It shows individuals with real power, members of the President’s inner circle, speaking about funding, interventions, “arrangements,” and relationships with business and other interests. Yet the government insists these are merely “corporate contributions” and misunderstood conversations, absolving itself of any responsibility.
The prestige of the Presidency
The greatest political misstep is not only what is heard in the video, but the fact that the current government refuses to acknowledge that there is a problem. That it has failed to protect the prestige of the Presidency. That it has allowed the impression—no longer unfounded—that a system of informal influence, nepotism, and cronyism operates at the highest level, as a result of undeniable political transactions and favouritism.
The continued presence of the President’s Office Director is a blatant provocation to society. It is inconceivable, in a minimally well-governed democracy, for the President’s closest associate and relative to remain in office while the Presidential Palace is at the centre of such a scandal.
Accountability is missing
The government insists that “there is no reason for resignation.” In reality, it is saying that political responsibility does not exist as a concept. That only the courts matter. That until a criminal conviction occurs, anything is permitted. This approach is wrong but, more importantly, dangerous for democracy. It mirrors the tactics of the previous government, in which Christodoulides was also a prominent figure, during the Al Jazeera video scandal, proving that in this country we fail to learn from the past.
The President calls on critics to produce evidence of his corruption, pretending not to realise that the central figure at this moment is his closest associate. By refusing to remove him, he places himself squarely in the crosshairs of intense societal criticism. At the same time, this reaction - choosing cover-up over accountability - directly undermines the citizens and society itself.