WHATEVER became of Marios Matsakis? The former firebrand politician has withdrawn from public life – and the public eye – since stepping down as MEP.
In short, he’s relaxing. For the time being at least.
When the Sunday Mail rang Matsakis for a phone interview, he had just finished watching a documentary about World War I warplanes.
And these days he’s spending a lot more quality time with his 11-year-old son.
“He’s my priority. We’ve got ourselves two off-road hog bikes, and we take trips in hilly country. I’ve trained him myself…we always wear our helmets. We also go to the ice skating rink.”
After a hectic life in politics that began with his election as member of the House of Representatives in 1996, Matsakis is making the most of the downtime.
“I’m basically taking care of all the outstanding matters of my private life. Things like inheritance, my house, property. For instance, I just finished installing a wooden fireplace in my home here in Pyrga.”
When he’s not hanging with his boy, Matsakis does the regular guy stuff – watching television, listening to music, taking out the trash, reading books about politics (more on that later), history and medicine, seeing friends and relatives.
Plans include creating a museum exhibiting his sizeable collection of ancient amphorae and chests, which readers will recall were hauled off in a police raid in 2005. Charges of illicit trading in antiquities were subsequently dropped.
“I also take on some cases requiring a medical examiner, but on a selective basis,” the former state coroner said.
“I’m taking better care of myself. Like shopping for clothes, which I haven’t done in a long, long time. I’m just trying to become more of a normal human being, something I missed out on for many years.”
But does he miss the action? You bet he does, and true to nature Matsakis is not one to mince his words.
“You know what, I actually push myself not to get involved. On the other hand, I’m tired of constantly being accused of being a publicity seeker. And looking back now, sometimes it felt like it was all for nothing, like there was no response from the public.”
There’s also a certain bitterness about being left in the political wilderness.
“You’d think that they [the government] would have some use for me. I could, for example, use my contacts to influence the Liberals in the European Parliament. But I haven’t heard from anyone. You know, it’s a shame because here in Cyprus that’s what happens to all former MEPs…they are just discarded, which I think is very wrong.
“Sure, I still follow political developments, and since you ask, let me tell you outright that we’re heading toward a worse version of the Annan Plan. I am utterly opposed to the concept of bi-zonality: we’re going to end up with a situation where the Turks are the majority in the north and partners in the south. In time, with the unchecked influx of Turkish settlers, the Greek Cypriots will become a minority in this land.
“Mark my words. I am 100 per cent sure of it,” he said.
“And the checkpoints should be closed ASAP. So long as there is an occupation of the north, that region should be declared as being in a state of emergency.”
Given his background of run-ins with Turkish Cypriot authorities – the taking down of a Turkish flag from an outpost springs to mind – Matsakis no longer visits the north.
What about a comeback? Is he scanning the political landscape, waiting for the right moment? Matsakis was coy, but did not altogether rule out the possibility.
“If things go from bad to worse in the negotiations, as I predict they will, I’d like to do my part in galvanising people to vote against the new Annan Plan. The way I see it, the AKEL rank-and-file are going to do what their party tells them when we reach the referenda stage.”
Could he offer a prediction about the outcome of that vote? “It’s 50-50.”
There’s a sense of obligation, too: “I don’t want to retire altogether, in the sense of joining the masses of people who have become plain desensitised to the present situation. So right now I’m gathering my thoughts, that’s all I can say.
“Might I get involved with some political movement or organisation opposed to the new settlement plan? Why not, we’ll see.”
On his own party, DIKO, Matsakis says he’s “disappointed” with developments over the past few months.
“I totally agree with [Nicholas] Papadopoulos and [Giorgos] Colocassides. But unfortunately they’re being hounded by their party. DIKO’s stance is hypocritical and dishonest – how can you disagree so much with the government but refuse to leave the coalition?”
