For some, the elections in Cyprus have ended in absolute euphoria and for others, a dismal disappointment. For better or worse, the people have made their choice and Nicos Anastasiades, the DYSI candidate and a familiar face in the Cyprus political scene for the last 32 years, has been elected as the new president of the Republic of Cyprus.
The president-elect will be faced with serious financial, political and social problems never encountered before by any other president – certainly not an enviable predicament to be in! He has inherited a near-bankrupt state, a disillusioned electorate, rising unemployment, a crippling economy and little prospect for improvement in the foreseeable future; not unless the country secures a 17.5 billion loan, which may easily convert into a misery!
He campaigned hard and pledged to form a ground-breaking government that will “pleasantly surprise” everyone. His leadership persona paid off handsomely, but the mere fact that he chose old party faithfuls (and not even a single woman) to form his new government, neither any independently-minded “top brains” as he pledged, not only sends out mixed messages, but also raises questions of integrity. However, the honeymoon is not over yet!
In retrospect, all the political parties in Cyprus rule and are the creation of the same old school, producing the same old petty-politicians with the same old party mentality. Ideally, parties are meant to be representative of the people’s rights but that presumption today is thrown out of the window. The ideal of “people’s representation” has been replaced by a new and dangerous trend that thrives on social manipulation and spin as a means to gain and maintain power.
This phenomenon is commonly known as Politicocracy or Kommarokratia! It means that a new political elite class has evolved out of the old school, whose loyalty is to their own political party, and every action taken is what’s in the best interest for the “Komma” (Party) and not necessarily for the people.
This loyalty is seriously exploited big time! Some political parties demand from member parliamentarians, mayors, commissioners and others, that their salaries are paid directly into the party coffers. The party then pays their wages less an amount deducted for the benefit of the organisation. Such commitment is driven by blind Kommato-patriotism and the more one does for the advancement of the party, the greater the personal rewards. Those rewards are granted based on nepotism and are certainly not obtained on merit. This suits everyone well – just like one happy family!
As it happens, alongside Politicocracy another new phenomenon has emerged on the sly, and that is: Elected-Dictatorship! Recently, it has grown most powerful and governs outside the boundaries of democratic principles and like a chameleon it constantly changes its colours to deceive! Reinforced by Kommatokratia, it governs under the presumption that its priorities are to serve the people, but in all reality, it’s the opposite. Both of those new classifications serve as channels for personal ambitions and the fortification of the political hierarchy.
Effectively, the priority of all political parties is to increase membership and win elections. There is strength in numbers, and those political groups realise that the majority of people habitually behave like sheep and can be manipulated into the fold by silver-tongued politicians. Using the power of suggestion, people can be conditioned to go with the flow just like fan-behaviour at football matches and rallies! It is of no surprise that most politicians behave likewise by using shallow promises to win votes and soon forget about them once elected into office.
Democracy has unfortunately been “bastardized” by the establishment of this Kommatokratia phenomenon. Plato, the founding father of democracy, was never a staunch supporter of democratic rule, believing that in the end this flawed political system encourages corruption, dictatorship and nepotism. In fact, he realized that a minority elite somewhat found the ways and means to dastardly rule the majority. Owing to political inexperience and a strong tradition in dogmatism, Cyprus has been deeply submerged into such an appalling practice from the very day of its independence. Plato’s predictions came to fruition and he was not wrong after all!
Holding elections today has become a formality and an appeasement to voters as a means to legitimize Elected-Dictatorship. Irrespective of the myth, a universal system prevails where governments today have become a cosy affluent political culture and are in support of one another. A “them” and “us” society has developed within the echelons of extreme power.
Subsequently, Kommatokratia in Cyprus has been nurtured and allowed to blossom into an overwhelming privileged class where it lodged its influential tentacles in every nook and cranny of society. Although it is unpopular, the general public has come to tolerate it on the presumption that they need it. They believe there is nothing they can do to alter the course of events and so they remain in silence and learn to live with a bad political system! This public tolerance stems from political immaturity driven by a ghoulish party-loyalty and lack of meaningful media information.
Politically linked, the mass media in Cyprus has not acted responsibly to present independent unbiased reporting. Without a doubt the media shares part of the blame for consolidating and perpetuating the current political climate of Kommatokratia. The concept that a well-informed citizen can make well-informed decisions has been utterly ignored for political and financial motives! Consequently, the less the public knows the greater the political advantages.
Since no qualifications are necessary to get into politics, Politicocracy has provided the perfect springboard for the ambitious to climb a privileged social ladder. The cherished idea of Meritocracy – a quality that builds great nations – has been ignored and substituted by cronyism. Protected by the status quo, Kommatokratia has managed to establish a nation where this political class has become “untouchable”. Unless this mass political influence is reduced, things will not improve but will rather deteriorate in the future.
The noble principle of Meritocracy that drives nations to prosperity and the gateway to a fair society is a long way off. However, if the new government in Cyprus truly means to “pleasantly surprise” everyone… Citizens will hail victory for common sense when Kommatokratia finally reduces its stranglehold over the country and society at large.
Andreas C Chrysafis is a member of the International Organisation of Greek Cypriots in the Disapora and a strong advocate and campaigner against corruption. He now lives in Canada.