Excellent news. We saw it on video too. A candidate in the upcoming elections, while playing football in a rural league match, lost his temper over something he did not like and, as the saying goes, “boiled over”. Chasing one of the referees, he tried to hit him to show that he does not tolerate injustice. The candidate, already known for other exploits, was immediately expelled from his political movement and, just like that, order was restored.
Since we have reached the point where people are beating each other up inside football grounds, be patient for another two weeks and a lot more will happen.
By now, we should also extend our congratulations to Omonia Nicosia for winning the championship, fully deserved. They were by far and consistently the best team, never seriously threatened by any challenger.
Omonia’s supporters celebrated from the depths of their souls, even if they kept us awake until morning with truck horns tearing through the silence and frightening animals. There is an issue here – not only with celebrations but more generally with anyone who feels entitled to create surprise explosions and loud bangs at any hour they please.
The amusing part of Saturday’s celebrations was that their climax took place outside the Lycavitos police station. We said it already – Omonia’s achievement was well deserved, but some of its supporters seem to come from elsewhere. For whom was the Chinese flag waving? Or the red banner with Marx, Engels and Lenin? In any case, we saw other things too, but we have grown used to them. Che Guevara, hammer-and-sickle symbols and the like appeared in every stand. Fine. Next year, perhaps Iranian flags as well.
Fidias got married and all hell broke loose. Everything carefully staged for the pre-election period. And the jumping around on the wedding bed with Styliana – another level entirely. I believe he picked up quite a few votes, because that is exactly what the Cypriot voter likes to see to get excited.
Polls are also picking up pace. The DISY-AKEL race will be decided by a whisker, no matter how many buses DISY mobilises.
From what I gather, many people will go to vote but cast a blank ballot. Abstention, kids, is not a useful option but a useless one. Better to turn up and raise a white flag over the ballot box.
So far, the blank vote is not negligible. I firmly believe these will be the most electrifying elections since the proclamation of the Republic of Cyprus.