It’s that proverbial time again; armed with razor sharp tongues, the political parties in Cyprus are ready to do battle with one another for the ultimate price: the prestigious presidential chair.
The stakes are very high indeed. Deals and counter deals have already begun, aiming to secure political coalition so the almighty “commas”, (parties) snatch a piece of the pie. Sadly, nothing moves in Cyprus unless those inglorious political parties, who shamelessly continue to perpetuate a social schism, give their blessings; they control all life on the island and resist any kind of attempt to reduce their stranglehold on society.
Consequently, the two major players are now verbally slugging each other, while the stragglers, hither and thither, jump from one camp and into another, attempting collect a few bread crumbs so they can delude themselves into thinking they are a power to be reckoned with. But unfortunately, politics is a dirty business. Politicians worldwide have shown that they have neither shame nor any loyalty when it comes to political survival; careers come first!
The fact that over 130,000 registered voters (32 per cent of the population) chose to abstain from voting in the last elections clearly shows how apathetic people have become due to political mistrust, bad politics and bad leadership. But politicians continue their old ways, as if votes simply belong to them exclusively. Their reprehensible behaviour has sunk so low and into such a morose political abyss, it appears certain this will continue beyond the 2013 elections.
As it stands, the ruling communist party has turned obstinate and defensive sensing they may lose the next presidency. The right wing is euphoric under the delusion that they have already won the election. The smaller parties keep on bragging, shallow rhetoric for political point scoring. And, there is a new candidate on the scene, – George Lillikas – an ex-foreign minister. He is running a campaign as an independent. A well-known figure in politics, his entry into the race may tip the scale; provided he plays his cards right and his policies touch people’s hearts.
For Citizen Joe however, the battle for a new president does not offer much hope for a better tomorrow. They expect more of the same. It seems that people have finally wised up and are demanding changes. They are in search of a new type of president; one that will bring them out of the doldrums and rekindle the nation’s pride and dignity once again. They seek out a leader who may be blessed with a free mind and who has the wisdom to make sweeping changes. The present candidates are simply a chip off the old block and continue to carry many skeletons in their closets.
In short, Cyprus needs a superman to assemble teams of experts, technocrats, academics and wise individuals to turn a new chapter in the history of this island. Unless by some miracle, a strong visionary leader rises above the rest to pioneer revolutionary policies to deal with Turkey’s aggressive threats and equally launch a vigorous catharsis of the entire system, things will never improve.
Fortunately, Cyprus is blessed with wise and capable men and women who have the ability and the dream to lead the nation forward. Sadly, under the present political system they are sidelined and will never be given the opportunity to even try; tampering with the existing system is considered anathema!
In fact, Cyprus has been practising a Flawed Democracy based on a Flawed Constitution under a Flawed Presidential form of government from the very day of it’s independence. The Constitution especially, has been the blueprint of political instability that has incubated brutal corruption and nepotism. It should have been scrapped years ago, but no one dares or has the foresight to even think of tackling the issue; for it suits the status quo splendidly well!
Drafted by the British Foreign Office, it was mainly aimed at partitioning aspirations, a social division and social stagnation. Dividing the nation into ethnic groups, it’s a sure way to manipulate and control all political developments on the island.
Continued to this very day, not only is it wrong, but it also sends out a message that: “all is permissible by those who enjoy preferential treatment on the basis of political immunity”. As for the ordinary citizens of the state, they are treated as children of lesser gods.
The principal of political immunity should apply to the office and not to officials; if they break the law of the land, they should pay the consequences! Political immunity of individuals – no matter who that individual is – is not only unjust and undemocratic, but it can also breed corruption and needs to be scrapped from the statute books of Cyprus along with the existing flawed constitution!
It is far more desirable to be governed by the rule of law under “one-man-one-vote” rather than to allow dogmatic individuals to rule the masses under a flawed democracy.
Writing in 350 BC, Aristotle declared that, “the Rule of Law is better than the rule of any individual. Law should govern”.
The “Rule of Man” certainly does not belong in a democratic form of government and should be avoided at all costs.