Revolution of the Mind Series
Andreas C Chrysafis
With each day passing, a new scandal surfaces to shock the nation. The latest allegations against the Mayor of Paphos prompt a troubling question: would Cyprus ever adopt institutions to be proud of? That answer remains to be seen!
It seems as if scandals of incompetence are an integral part in government institutions that fail to apply precautionary measures to avoid disasters. Passiveness has been practiced for years that share a common denominator: apathy or corruption! To the dismay of citizens, such ineptitude has become a common factor. It reveals that those responsible are either not capable for the job or simply don’t care.
Corruption and inefficiency has been exposed in a number of institutions such as: the Forest Department, Water Supply, Dams and Marinas but also the Natural Gas fiasco costing millions (if not billions) to the taxpayer.
But, the worse example of incompetence it’s the recent exposure of the civil defense fiasco involving emergency shelters to protect the population. Today, Cyprus is being used (indirectly) as a stepping-stone for the US/Israeli war against Iran and as a precaution, the Interior Minister’ ordered to get all shelters ready in the event they were needed. To his shock the shelters cover 45% of the population—not 100% as they were meant to—and most were not even adequate for the purpose.
Another example—and a serious case with nationwide implications—it is the current “food and mouth” outbreak in the Turkish occupied north of the island. The disease was detected in December 2025 but the minister responsible including the Republic’s veterinary services failed to act promptly to protect Cypriot farmers and their herd. They could have immediately shut all the crossings to stop the illegal movement of contaminated animals and feed products entering the Republic but they didn’t.
Under EU directive the mass culling of sheep, goats and cows has begun within a ten-kilometre radius. Thousands of healthy animals—including of infected ones—were ordered to be culled leaving generations of farmers in utter despair seeing their entire stock be so brutally wiped out! Farmers were given no choice but to: “either agreed to the culling so they can qualify for EU compensation or bear the entire culling and burial costs themselves.” That was a classic EU blackmailing tactic.
That’s how the current system works—always far too late to act and prevent a catastrophe from happening! People are in absolute shock of what is happening inside the government institutions and its unaccountable bureaucracy.
Selective Justice
Two institutions that have triggered serious public criticism have been the High Court of Cyprus and the Attorney General’s office. Both are under public scrutiny for being politically influenced and repeatedly exonerate high-profile cases.
Their impartiality has recently being questioned in a number of prominent cases—the latest being the Demetris Syllouris, Speaker of the Parliament, and MP Christakis Giovanni case. They were exposed in an Al Jazeera’s investigative video reporting about corrupt practices to do with “Cash for Passports”. The two, were facetiously making unsavoury remarks in a bar including the infamous phrase: “This is Cyprus.’
Their exoneration—by a non-unanimous High Court decision—has reaffirmed the public perception that Judicial System in Cyprus appears to protect an elite segment in society. The pattern of judicial “favouritism” has persisted for years, and yet no government has ever taken action to end this awful practice of nepotism—constitutionally if necessary!
In a democracy, the enforcement of laws in an impartial judiciary system forms the pillars that bond a civil society and state together. In its absence, disorder soon opens up the floodgates to untapped corruption and lawlessness in a country.
Peoples’ Votes
Under such environment, citizens are called upon today to go out and vote for a system that for many, it no longer represents their lives. They are disappointed by an outdated elite system that habitually keeps failing their expectations to generate a fairer society.
But come rain or snow, the election frenzy is now in full swing, flooding the media and television screens with debates and menial interviews of tedious personalities as if it’s the biggest event of the country. Suddenly, every political party has become patriotic and blessed with a divine inspiration claiming to have all the answers and resolve the country’s longstanding woes – politically and socially.
Meanwhile, the political knives are well sharpened and poisoned toungues are unleashed, spreading promises, slandering opposition and reciting the same old rhetoric: “We have received people’s message and will do much better if re-elected again.” If anyone can believe this, can be forgiven for believing in fairy tales rather than living in Cyprus.
According to the Ministry of the Interior, 7,380 candidates have expressed interest in 3,227 of local government positions including 56 Parliamentary seats. Up to now, there are 27 political parties and movements, seeking to gain those critical seats. For a small island with 600.000 registered voters this is madness. It’s no wonder Parliament suffers from indecisiveness and never agrees on matters of importance.
The running contenders come from diverse backgrounds and most are unfamiliar to what the job demands, yet; they wish to gain the electorate’s support. The election of a 22-year-old Phidias Panayioutou as an MEP —a self-promoting Tic-Toker with a big following known for his frivolous pranks and gift of the gap— illustrates how “incompetence” and “ignorance” under a flawed democracy it’s allowed to rule by simply coaxing voters.
Do those aspiring candidates do so for the love of the country or for the love of self-advancement? Obviously, most are hopeful to latch on a gravy train; a rickety-train that, that offers social status, job security and generous pensions!
As for meritocracy—the driving force that propels nations forward––does not seem to be an important issue during the campaigns. It’s not even mentioned! This suggests that no matter who gets elected: things forever are changing but forever remain the same!
Democracy in Danger
There is nothing wrong aiming to land one of the top jobs in the country but when it comes on matters of great significance, that’s where the root of the problem lies. Unqualified or untrained individuals are entrusted to make critical decisions affecting the state without expertise and that’s where disarray starts to take root. The election of Phidias as MEP is a prime example of that!
This mentality is deeply embedded in a society that truly reflects its culture; a culture that relies on political dogmatism! Funded by the taxpayer and private donations, political parties—Kommatokratia—are dependent on people’s vote for their existence. The greater the votes the party gets the greater government funding the party receives.
Yet, some argue that this is simply democracy at work—a manipulative political system that rewards political loyalists whether they are worthy or not. But that’s what “democracy” is all about: a system that encourages incompetence and corruption! All considered, it is a system far better than dictatorship, theocracy or tyranny! But, when meritocracy is ignored in favour of party loyalty, inevitably society and country suffers. Still, in the absence of merit system inevitably opens up the floodgates to forces that erode nations from within.
The importance of meritocracy can be illustrated, as that: no one in his/her mind would hire a professional plumber to perform surgery on a patient; and certainly will not appoint a construction worker to manage a banking institution.
Yet in politics, such misalignments of competence and merit have become a part of the culture and a common practice. Any system that promotes individuals primarily based on “years of service” rather than “merit” it’s a formula for disaster.
Election mode
Next month citizens would be called upon to vote for a new slate of candidates. The chosen ones would soon be entrusted with critical Parliamentary decisions affecting the country and people’s lives. If they get it wrong it’s not a problem; they remain shielded and are not held responsible for any wrong decisions. They become “untouchable” and protected by political immunity; a condition that fosters corruption at the highest levels.
According to the 2025 Corruption Perception Index, Cyprus ranks 49th out of 182 countries. The data indicate a deterioration since 2012, when the country ranked 66th —confirming an upward trend in corruption.
The May elections will see that abstention or blank/white vote would prevail once again as in previous elections and in effect, becoming the unofficial majority party in the country. What does that signify?
A flawed democratic system where a minority actually governs the majority! Certainly that’s not what democracy it’s all about but that’s how it has transmuted itself to accommodate modern political systems.
In fact, in today’s political environment, where poverty has reached unprecedented levels of over 167,000, it paints a sad picture for a small but “rich” island. Citizens have lost faith in politicians, political parties or governments that repeatedly fail to meet their expectations to build a fairer society governed “by the people for the people.”
Instead, those elected or appointed officials quickly become absorbed into an elite social club that soon forget those that elected then into office. A most despicable act of social betrayal indeed! But, that’s what democracy has become; a tapestry of ambiguities where inadequacy is rewarded.
Andreas C Chrysafis @ac_chrysafis
Author/Artist/ Writer
April 4, 2026
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