Political and party sources yesterday suggested that the resignation of Charalambos Charalambous as director of the President’s office marks the first major political setback for Nicos Christodoulides.
Although Christodoulides has faced pressures over unproductive staff appointments during his nearly three-year presidency, he had previously requested resignations mostly behind the scenes. Even the devastating fire in the Troodos Mountains exposed government indecision, yet the President refrained from taking decisive action against directly involved ministers.
The political weight of recent events, however, appears to have become unmanageable, ultimately leading to the resignation of his closest aide.
Distraction tactics
Initial reactions from the government, the President, and his aides, for nearly four days after the release of a controversial video, attempted to divert attention by framing the issue as part of a hybrid warfare campaign against Cyprus.
In other words, they sought to steer the narrative away from the video’s content. However, these moves leave Christodoulides politically exposed and fail to address the deeper political implications.
From the President’s statement urging anyone with evidence of direct or indirect bribery during his campaign or presidency to report to the authorities, to the resignation or removal of his close aide, the developments represent an indirect admission of mismanagement within the Presidential Office. Similarly, the departure of the First Lady from the Independent Social Support Body signals a failure of the President to withstand mounting political and social pressure over the body’s lack of transparency.
'Confidence' or lack of will?
Christodoulides described Charalambous’s resignation as “an act of confidence and trust,” though he did not clarify the exact meaning. Currently, there appears to be a lack of willingness for a full criminal investigation into the video’s content.
While the President may have made concessions to reduce criticism from both opposition and coalition parties, no state institutions have taken decisive action to investigate the evident issues.
In his resignation statement, Charalambous stressed that he never sought political office for personal ambition, describing his government role as a conscious choice to serve. He also said that recent days have seen targeted attempts to damage the President personally, challenge the government, and harm the country’s image.
DISY: No satisfaction
Opposition parties continue to call for a thorough investigation into what may become a major political and criminal scandal.
DISY President Anita Dimitriou said yesterday that the case directly undermines the credibility of the Republic of Cyprus during its EU Presidency. While acknowledging the resignations as correct and useful, she stressed that they do not change the facts. DISY proposes a three-point plan including:
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clear political action to prove no cover-up
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a full and independent investigation by the Attorney General
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radical reforms or abolition of the fund, with alternative student support mechanisms
AKEL: Strong criticism
AKEL’s Secretary-General Stefanos Stefánou claims Christodoulides lacks the will for a genuine investigation and accountability, as he is ultimately implicated.
Stefánou argues that the delayed resignations, accompanied by questionable explanations, do not protect Christodoulides, who allegedly knew of and participated in the system of entanglement designed to serve his political plans.
Even now, the names of donors to the controversial fund remain secret, and the President has not moved to abolish it, AKEL noted.
This article was originally published in the Politis daily newspaper.