The time has come for participation and not for abstinence of Cypriot citizens. Voting is essential for everyone if political corruption is to be eliminated and the country to go forward.
1. How does Democracy work in Cyprus?
The political system in Cyprus is the Presidential Representative Democracy. So, citizens vote representatives, such as the President, Members of Parliament and Municipal Councilors. People have the power to elect their representatives at regular intervals (every 5 years) and this is the most common and direct way of involving
citizens in the decision-making of the country.
The Republic of Cyprus was founded in 1960. Since 1974, where the Turkish invasion took place, it controls the southern part of Cyprus until today. On the other hand, since 1974, its northern part is illegally controlled by TRNC (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus), which claims to be an independent state, but is not recognized by any country worldwide, apart from Turkey.
Did you know that the Constitution of Cyprus provides for 80 Members of Parliament? The 56 Members are Greek Cypriots (70%) and the 24 Members are Turkish Cypriot (30%), who at the moment do not exist.
2. Is there corruption in Governments, Ministries and Members of Parliament?
Due to technology and the people’s thirst for transparency, various issues are coming to light, such as passport scandals to foreign “investors”. What governments and Members of Parliament ultimately do, is to blame each other and create Research Committees that take forever and until the issues are forgotten and passed under the carpet. So, there is a great need for better implementation of the law and for more robust and effective Regulatory Authorities.
As you will know, the Parliament consists of 56 Members, therefore the parties with the most Members will have a greater say in Parliament. So, if the Cyprus Green Party – Citizens’ Cooperation has only 2 Members, it is logical that their proposals will not have the expected impact on Parliament.
If you are a citizen with environmental sensitivity, respect life on the planet and you are interested in health and in a country that offers welfare, do not expect any change in the country, as long as you do not actively stand for a party that supports these ideologies, such as the Cyprus Green Party – Citizens’ Cooperation. For further information about the Party, you can contact me directly on Social Media or visit the Party’s website.
One of the most effective means we have as citizens, is the right to vote. If you don’t care and you abstain, you share a part of the responsibility of the country’s state.
3. Vote: A Tool or An Item for Sale?
Do you know how many people voted in the last 5 elections? About 30% of the registered voters did not turn up to vote and many other young people did not even bother to register. And this is mostly due to the discredit people have developed towards politicians. As for the remaining 70% who voted, many of them said they were dissatisfied with any party even if they gave their vote.
I am very sorry that there are still people who believe that abstaining from elections is a way of protesting or a way of enabling change, unfortunately it isn’t. If you haven’t yet perceived that abstention does not bring change but lets the culprits undisturbed and perpetuates the situation, then I really am sorry.
Each Party/Combination will nominate 56 candidates. If you estimate that there are more than 10 Parties/Combinations then you have to choose between at least 560 people to represent you. If you think that in those 560, there is not one good choice, I really cannot justify you and I can only perceive it as a cheap excuse.
Abstinence is complicity! Anyone who tells you anything else is simply misleading you.
When you vote, you must do it responsibly and not because someone made some promises to you. If you do not choose your representatives correctly, then why are you complaining? So since corruption starts from the citizens themselves, how do you expect it not to exist in politicians?
The registration process in the upcoming elections is a straightforward process with clear instructions for its completion. You can find more information here.
As responsible citizens we need to understand that every kind of corruption in politics, and in extent in our country, will be eliminated only if we take matters into our own hands and only if we stop hiding behind excuses.
The time has come for all of us to take on our responsibilities.
