HOUSE President and presidential candidate Demetris Christofias yesterday called Central Bank Governor Athanasios Orphanides a neo-liberal more interested in number crunching than hungry people.
Christofias was one of several critics targeting Orphanides yesterday after the Governor expressed concern about the government squandering a budget surplus on a new £75-million social package, and the effect it would have on long-term economic stability.
Orphanides also said he had heard nothing from the other presidential candidates about their plans to limit government spending and provide for the long-term sustainability of the economy.
Christofias said Orphanides was mistaken in his views and had come to the island with ideas picked up in the countries he came from. The Central Bank Governor has worked in the United States for years. “He [Orphanides] is inspired by a neo-liberal philosophy, which wants the economy and the numbers to look good, even if people are hungry,” said Christofias.
He said that although the Governor was an independent official and had the right to judge, it was the government that had the right to determine economic and social policies.
Christofias said his social policy if he were elected would be inspired by humanity and geared at those who need support. “There are citizens to whom the state owes support, social protection and a decent existence,” he said.
A similar view was expressed by Government Spokesman Vassilis Palmas.
“The Central Bank Governor has not lived the pre-election periods that we have in Cyprus and possibly he doesn’t know how things are done during these periods,” he said.
Palmas said the situation was simple. “He himself said there was a surplus, and from the minute there is a surplus, the government gave additional financial help to the vulnerable people who need it,” he added.
Palmas also said Orphanides was an independent official and was entitled to his opinion, but in a democracy, the government was also entitled to its opinion.
Answering questions as to why both Finance Minister Michalis Sarris and Palmas himself had previously said there would be no more social packages, the spokesman said that was before it was determined there was a surplus.
Sarris, to whom Orphanides said he had expressed his disappointment over the package, said yesterday the Governor’s opinions were respected, but in any case, whoever would take over the government next year would inherit a very good economy.
The Employers’ and Industrialists’ Federation (OEV) sided with Orphanides, saying that in times of surplus, most governments took extra care of their finances to put in place measures in case of a recession.
The Federation said Orphanides was “being prudent”.
