RULING AKEL chief Andros Kyprianou yesterday tried to play down an email containing requests for nepotism sent to the media by accident by his secretary.
Other parties were quick to criticise AKEL when it is well known that nepotism is a major component of Cypriot political life.
“I am truly sorry because it is attempted – for obvious reasons – by some to give the matter dimensions it does not have,” Kyprianou told state radio. The story broke on Monday when Kyprianou’s secretary sent to the media by accident his phone messages, which included details of a deal over who was being suggested for a senior public sector job.
Specifically, Michalis Pittadjis called to inform Kyprianou that the brother of AKEL deputy Skevi Koukouma was put forward for the position of senior customs officer.
The man suggested that since Niki Hadjiyiannis – the wife of DIKO councillor Andreas Hadjiyiannis – also wanted the job and she would retire in 14 months to give her the opportunity and then afterwards “our man gets promoted”.
Kyprianou said every day piles of demands arrived at his and other politicians’ offices without exception.
“The issue is not what demands reach your office; the issue is what you do from then on,” Kyprianou said. “And the Cypriot people can judge us for the things we do.”
The AKEL chief said he would not try to prove how he or his party operated.
“The Cypriot people will judge and evaluate us through our actions and life,” he added. “Will parties be judged by what those who call party offices say?”
Kyprianou challenged everyone to say when has AKEL ever intervened as a party or he in person, to favour anyone.
Opposition DISY said people had hoped that such practices were a thing of the past.
“Unfortunately yesterday’s (Monday’s) incidents confirm that these practices continue,” said DISY MP Andreas Themistocleous. “And unfortunately the ‘fair society’ promises of (President Demetris) Christofias are nothing but a distasteful joke.”
The DISY MP said his party has left behind the bad mentality and practices and has tabled a series of proposals for procedures that will assure meritocracy.
EDEK spokesman Demetris Papadakis said AKEL was being hypocritical.
“AKEL gave lessons in ethics to the rest of the parties and presented itself as the unspoiled party, which had nothing to do with nepotism,” Papadakis said.
He said his party has never received such messages because people know nothing would be done to accommodate them.
