The debate in the House Institutions Committee over the Social Support Agency Fund, the Presidential Palace’s uncertainty over how to respond to an invitation by Donald Trump to participate in a proposed Peace Council, Trump’s address in Davos and his demands regarding Greenland, a letter by AKEL’s secretary general to the energy minister calling for measures to address high energy costs, and a growing rift between police officers and the chief of police over the new working hours framework dominate the Cypriot press on Thursday.
Alithia, under the headline “Donations surge without identification”, reports in its main story that the issue of contributions to the Social Support Agency Fund was discussed in parliament alongside the controversial video, noting that donations have risen sharply since 2022 to more than €2 million annually, without clear explanations as to their origin or purpose. Elsewhere, the paper reports that MEP Fidias Panayiotou is under scrutiny by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office following a complaint alleging misuse of EU funds, claims he dismisses as fake news. In another report, Alithia notes government unease over participation in the Peace Council, writing that initial enthusiasm over international recognition of Cyprus’ role has since faded.
Politis, with the headline “From celebration to deep concern”, writes in its lead story that Nicosia has yet to decide how to respond to Trump’s invitation to the Peace Council and is seeking a way forward through the extraordinary European Council meeting taking place today. In another report, the newspaper says an international arrest warrant has been issued against Ioanna Fotiou, known on social media as Annie Alexui, raising questions over whether the timing is linked to her recent criticism of the president and the first lady. Elsewhere, Politis publishes a response by MEP Fidias Panayiotou rejecting reports of an investigation by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office as false.
Phileleftheros, in its main story titled “Trump’s ultimatum to Europe”, focuses on Trump’s Davos speech, reporting that he demands Greenland, warns NATO, mocks Europe and threatens the imposition of tariffs. The paper also features on its front page a photograph from Wednesday’s police protest outside parliament, reporting an official rift between the position of the chief of police and police officers over working hours. In another article, Phileleftheros writes that the European Parliament’s decision to refer the EU–Mercosur agreement to the Court of Justice represents a blow to the European Commission, noting that the agreement could still be provisionally applied under certain conditions.
Haravgi, under the headline “Undermining the green transition”, leads with a report on a letter from AKEL’s secretary general to the energy minister, expressing serious concerns over government energy policies and arguing that there is no coherent energy plan in place. The paper also publishes coverage and a photograph from the Institutions Committee meeting on the Social Support Agency Fund, claiming the existence of a mechanism of entanglement linked to the Presidential Palace and stating that the president is “irreparably exposed”. Elsewhere, Haravgi reports on the police protest outside parliament, writing that the new working hours framework continues to divide the force.
The English-language daily Cyprus Mail, with the headline “Greenland is ours, says defiant Trump”, reports that the US president rules out the use of force but insists on negotiations. In another story, the paper publishes a photograph from the meeting between the head of the police branch of the Isotita union and the speaker of parliament during the police protest outside the House over changes to working hours. Elsewhere, Cyprus Mail writes that the majority of Cypriot MEPs voted in favour of referring the EU–Mercosur agreement to the Court of Justice of the EU.