OUR POLITICAL mafia continues, undeterred, its conspiratorial efforts to increase the number of parliamentary seats, despite the widespread angry reaction to this provocative move.
The weird thing is that the primary movers are AKEL and DISY leadership, even though the initiative was first undertaken by the pseudo-socialists EDEK, who wanted to resolve internal party problems in the Limassol district.
We are witnessing the following paradox: on the Cyprus problem, the thinking of the two biggest parties was, essentially, identical, but their respective leaderships not only refused to co-operate, but when the need for such co-operation was raised, both would dismiss it (AKEL more vehemently then DISY), claiming, unconvincingly, there were big differences between them.
But when it comes to promoting petty party expediency, they have no qualms about co-operating, behind-the-scenes, and without daring to inform anyone about their plans. In other words, they are incapable of co-operating in order to save Cyprus from partition, but for promoting their shabby party objectives – that do not serve the national interest – they more than willing to join forces and conspire in the dark, just as rival mafia groups would do.
It is no coincidence that, despite a spate of reports about the plans to increase the number of parliamentary seats, none of the parties has dared to speak out publicly and inform people about what has been discussed in secret.
The main argument used by party officials in private conversations to justify the increase in the number of deputies is that it is for ‘national reasons’. DISY deputy Christos Pourgourides claims the increase is necessary so that Cyprus is able to fulfil its international obligations because, “Cyprus’ interests are in Europe where they are today at stake.”
And when we add another dozen deputies to parliament we will take on Europe and Cyprus’ interest will be triumphantly served? I did not expect to hear such utter nonsense from Pourgourides. I thought he agreed with my view that Cyprus is in danger from our own stupidity and inadequate brains rather than from the Europeans and the Africans.
Our 56 deputies are more than enough if they focused their efforts on serious work, instead of attending ridiculous meetings dealing with trivial issues in order to fool people who approach them in coffee-shops and make endless requests.
I have had the misfortune to attend two House committee meetings. The last one I attended lasted 35 minutes and there were at least 25 people present. At a certain point I asked to speak to correct something that had been said. The deputy chairing the committee whispered the following in my ear:
“Never mind. Do not say anything so that I can now close the matter and hopefully nobody will remember to submit it for discussion again.” He had forgotten that he was among the seven deputies who had submitted the matter for discussion in the first place and called the meeting.
This is how the serious deputies waste their time. And now they want to increase their number so that more of them can go on luxury trips to Europe – always travelling business class and staying in luxury hotels – where Cyprus’ “interests are at stake”.
I am obliged to express my disagreement with Pourgourides. I think we should reduce the number of deputies because the fewer there are, the less harm they cause the country.
