THE GOVERNMENT is not bothered by criticism, just so long as it remains within the frame of democratic dialogue, mutual respect and above all respect towards the institutions, Government Spokesman Stefanos Stefanou said yesterday.
Stefanou was asked to comment on the attacks launched on the government during the three-day budget debate at parliament.
“Any modern democracy demands the least bit of understanding, courtesy and consent,” said Stefanou. “When behaviour cancels out or insults institutions, then problems are created in the smooth operation of any modern state.”
Comments heard at the House during the three-day debate ranged from: ‘the government is mentally retarded’ offered by DISY MP Soteris Sampson, to opposition DISY MP’s Christos Pourgourides’ calling President Demetris Christofias “weak-willed and incapable of living up to the great challenges of our day”.
The budget may have been passed, however millions of euros were shaved off several state programmes, including sponsorships for political asylum seekers, the English School, and the cash to rent a private jet for the President’s official visits.
“I think we should all face up to the issue, protect institutions, protect politics and with our behaviour, correspond to what the public wants,” said Stefanou. “The public wants creative discussions, with disagreements, differing views – which naturally exist – but at the same time, we not should give in to the temptation of unproductive conflicts, name-calling and a situation that truly serves no one’s best interests.”
Stefanou sent the government’s gratitude to parliament for approving the budget, which was passed with the support of ruling party AKEL, coalition partner DIKO and ex government partner EDEK.
He said the budget was important and a vital tool for the government to continue its policy for economic recovery, as well as its efforts to maintain “the social state”.
However, Stefanou underlined the government’s concern over the money that was cut, which he said could cause problems.
He specifically referred to the cash for Cyprus’ 2012 EU presidency stint. “In regards to the Cypriot EU presidency, we would like to underline the vital importance of rapid decision making and flexibility, which should be shown for Cyprus to live up to the demands of a successful European presidency,” said Stefanou.
He was also concerned about amendments that were passed slashing the number of temporary and contract workers that could be employed in the public sector. “This will affect the ability of sensitive sectors and services of the state to carry out their roles sufficiently.”
Stefanou added that these services included Social Welfare, child protection institutions and old people’s homes; “departments that generally have to do with serving the public”.
Stefanou said even though the Cypriot economy was out of the crisis, the government wouldn’t be complacent, considering finances could still be affected by positive or negative developments abroad.
“Cyprus went through various stages in these past two years,” he pointed out. “We found ourselves in the vortex of the financial crisis due to the international economic crisis; we dealt with this vortex. Cyprus then entered the recession stage; we are now in the phase of exiting the recessions – that’s what the figures show.”
Meanwhile, speaking in Brussels yesterday, President Demetris Christofias said the government’s policy was to support the socially weaker sectors of the population and this will become apparent very soon, with counterbalancing measures that will be tabled at parliament for approval. He added that the current government would not strangle the socially weak sectors.
