For many years, a highlight of my week has been the pleasure I derive from Patroclos’ “Tales from the Coffeeshop”.
On the whole, these “tales” are both amusing and insightful commentary on the political scene in Cyprus. My only problem has been the nature of Patroclos’ invective whenever he refers to Giorgos Perdikis, whom he always sneers at as “turtle-loving”, “tree-hugging” and “insufferably self-righteous” or words to that effect.
While such comment is only to be expected in this form of literature, it has always struck me, unlike the barbs thrown at other politicians, as being particularly personal and vindictive, as if Patroclos were exacting revenge for a past personal offence. (Did George get the girl Pat wanted?)
In the Sunday Mail of June 22, however, Patroclos has really gone too far over the top. In commenting on the proposed plan to raise the minimum share of the vote required to gain entry to the legislature, he says: “This would be a good thing as it is sure to eliminate the Perdikis one-man show, masquerading as Green Party, from parliament.
I hear that this is also the motivation of DISY whose deputies have come to detest the pompous, pontificating populist Perdikis. The turtle-lover is disliked across the ideological spectrum, which could help DISY pass its proposal.
Deputies, apparently, hate the way self-righteous, bash-patriot regularly leaks information to the media, regarding confidential House committee work or unfinished bills in exchange for public exposure (nobody makes as many appearances on TV and radio or is quoted so often by the papers) and hagiographic reports about him.
We would like to wish every success to DISY which would be doing us all a big favour if it spares us the torture of hearing Perdikis advertising his moral superiority whenever we turn on the radio or TV!”
This vitriol is not political “fair comment”. This hymn of hate is a thoroughly nasty, vindictive personal attack which is obviously intended to injure.
This attitude is not limited to Patroclos himself but seems to extend to the Mail’s editorial policy (see the editorial “Drastic action needed over electoral reform to gain voter trust”, Cyprus Mail, June 17).
Even today, June 24, in an article “No danger from unloaded cargo …”, the writer seemingly cannot resist a slam at the Greens “once more Cyprus is keen to become the dumpster of the eastern Mediterranean, the party said.
For all their concerns the Greens somehow omitted to demand disclosure of the ship’s manifest”, as if this were some kind of fault on their part.
My problem with all this is that, to me, very much a friend of the Cyprus Mail, none of this invective is in any way descriptive of Giorgos Perdikis, an honest and upright man whom I have known for over 20 years.
Although as a tax-paying, resident Canadian I do not have even the municipal vote, he tried and almost succeeded in getting legislation through parliament that would have given me and some 200 others this vote, only to be defeated by the chauvinistic, racist clowns who now govern the country.
As a Green supporter I know that Perdikis has made every personal sacrifice to keep his party alive. He is devoted to openness and transparency in government, hence the “leaks”.
If he is indeed detested by fellow MPs, the reason is obvious. He is honest, open and straight and refuses to play their secretive, dirty little games.
He may well lose his seat as a consequence of this “reform” but please explain to me how strengthening the large, crooked parties through eliminating the small ones, such electoral reform will somehow “gain voter trust”?
The very fact that Giorgos Perdikis clearly won a country-wide survey as the most highly regarded politician in the country only a couple of months ago, yet failed to gain a seat in the European Parliament, says it all.
He is very highly thought of by all (except the Cyprus Mail) but they don’t vote for him, preferring to support the large parties that can do them personal favours. There is clearly no room in this country for politicians of high principle and probity.
The basic problem is that corruption is endemic in the very souls of Cypriots. Consequently this country will always have the corrupt government it deserves.
John Knowles, Peyia
