The President of the Republic, recognizing the just outcry of the people, will announce measures to fight corruption which is devouring our society and leading it to darkness.
But whatever measures are taken that do not strike the root of the problem and simply concern new control regulations by committees with questionable penalties, I am of the opinion that they will not work.
The foundations of the building of political life and the public sector have been eroded to such an extent that there is no longer a cure for the disease.
A new sound foundation is required, on which, with proper planning and planning, a new modern functional, political and social system will be built, based on the existing constitution of the Republic of Cyprus.
Obviously change takes time and it would be utopia for anyone to believe that a new healthy system will be built overnight.
But the President of the Republic and the parties, if they finally want to use the power given to them by the Constitution or have taken advantage of laws and regulations that they have adopted, can start with substantial changes, in a collective effort to rebuild the state.
Only in this way will a spirit of equality and meritocracy begin to be consolidated in Parliament and in the Public Sector, which are the backbone of the smooth functioning of the state and society.
We expect that the President of the Republic will demand and promote, among other things, the following essential issues which will be the new foundations of a healthy functioning of the state and political life.
1. Promotion of a law for the horizontal voting for the election of elected officials
The crew of the year arrived for the exercise through a horizontal vote of the democratic right of the citizens. Forcing citizens to vote for a party and candidates from that party alone is an anachronistic and undemocratic electoral system.
2. Amendment of laws / regulations governing public and educational service committees
The role of these two committees in the consolidation of the public service is very important.
The President and the members of these committees are appointed by the President of the Republic with proposals of the parties with the proportional method depending on the power of the parties. Recruitment, promotions up to the highest level are decided by the triangle Parties-Government-Committees.
Since it is commonly accepted even by the President of the Republic that the public sector requires a complete reform, it must start from these two committees that are the gears of the smooth or malfunctioning of the public sector.
The members must be selected by an independent body that will conduct only written examinations of the interested parties and will submit the ranking list to the President of the Republic who will appoint the committees based on the constitution.
In this way, the work of each President will become much easier!
3. Amendment of regulations governing the guards of officials
During the 1960s and 70s, when civil strife was active, the respective Councils of Ministers, following decisions on the recommendation of the Police Security Committee and the Ministry of Justice, had a police guard for the security of officials.
This danger has disappeared for 40 years, but the guards of the officials are increasing, as a result of which today there are about 200 police officers serving in guard positions of current and former officials.
The current Chief of Police persistently requests the increase of the Police staff in order to effectively face the increased dangers while the officials demand and have a guard only for reasons of image and demonstration of power.
If the parties want a guard, let the current and former officials pay private companies and bear the cost, while the incumbent officials reduce the guard to a minimum.
4. Amendment of the regulations concerning the responsibilities of officials and public officials in case the national public interest is harmed
The incident with the former Speaker of Parliament who was forced to resign and who very skillfully stated that he has no legal responsibility is a strong proof that it is necessary to enact or amend a relevant law on the responsibility of officials so that those who publicly expose their prestige and prestige lose their benefits. credibility of the state as was done with the screening of the Al Jazeera video. This, of course, regardless of the criminal dimension of their actions.
All citizens know and live the consequences of corruption, but the laws of expediency, the internal system of government and the "elite" of the Cypriot society have regulated them in such a way that most of the time obvious crimes against society and moral order fall into a vacuum rather than the efforts of a few bodies, which continue to guard Thermopylae.
Society now demands cleansing and the involvement of the citizens is more necessary than ever to force the executive, the legislature and the judiciary to coordinate and clean the stables of Augeia.
Citizens should demand, control and expose those who do not keep their commitments or violate moral and written laws and do not meet the demands of society, because Cyprus is small and everyone knows everyone and understands everything!
Vice Admiral e.a. Konstantinos Fytiris