“For as long as I am President of the Republic, I will make mistakes that may invite criticism on many issues - but never on matters of transparency or corruption,” said Nikos Christodoulides in one of his most recent television interviews, reiterating his pledge of zero tolerance for corruption.
Since his election, one of President Christodoulides’s flagship commitments has been the promotion of institutional and other reforms to establish safeguards for protection, meritocracy, legality, and transparency. He invited the FBI to assist in the faster investigation of corruption cases, promised to recruit specialised staff to support the work of the investigative authorities, appointed an Ethics Adviser, and allocated funding in the state budget for the country’s rebranding in order to restore its reputation.
Yesterday, however, the Audit Office released a sharply worded report regarding the operation of the Independent Social Support Body, which is chaired by the First Lady. The Body relies solely on private donations and aims to provide financial assistance to students in need.
The report does not identify responsibility or any evidence of irregularity. It does, however, make it clear that the Body’s current system of operation and management - which, among other things, does not disclose the names of major donors - is insufficient to safeguard the institutional integrity required when philanthropy intersects with state power. Consequently, issues of transparency, accountability and effective oversight arise, to ensure that no suspicion of clientelism or favouritism is allowed to linger.
The report’s findings raise a number of questions:
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The Body’s annual income increased by 500%, from half a million euros in 2018–2022 to around €2.3 million in 2023 and 2024.
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A company that contributed more than €695,000 during the same period also negotiated and signed a major long-term contract with the state.
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Individuals linked to the “golden passports” programme donated €685,000 between 2018 and 2024.
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Six shipping companies contributed €750,000 in 2024, while at the same time the government was taking decisions on ship tonnage tax.
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Questions also arise regarding the verification of the origin of donations.
The Audit Office makes specific recommendations and comments on the special relationship between the President and the chair of the Body.
Mr President, it was you who said speaking before a young audience, that “corruption is not an abstract concept” and that we must set the bar high to become, as you put it, a “model country in combating it”, following the example of Mexico.
Well, Mr President, here is your test. If the Body, judging by its response following the publication of the report, fails to grasp the institutional and ethical issues raised by the Audit Office, then it is your responsibility to impose order and put your declarations into practice.
From our side, the bar is high. Can you reach it?