Famagusta, Cyprus. Elam parliamentary candidate Fivos Kyprianou said he would table a bill if elected to outlaw political parties such as Akel, Volt and Direct Democracy, which he described as a “confirmed threat” to the survival of Hellenism in Cyprus. Volt rejected the proposal and accused Elam of promoting fear and authoritarianism.
Kyprianou outlines proposed ban mechanism
Kyprianou suggested establishing an independent authority to uphold the constitution, which would place parties and organisations under surveillance if they “downgrade the Turkish invasion, glorify terrorist groups and cooperate with occupation forces, foreign agendas or ideologies that threaten the survival of Hellenism in Cyprus”.
He said that if confirmed, the authority would propose that such groups be banned by a Supreme Court decision.
Volt response and call to other parties
Volt responded by saying “they have taken off their masks” upon hearing that Elam is set to increase its vote percentage.
“Those who praise Hitler and the Junta have come to tell us that they will protect the Republic by outlawing us. So, the deserters are threatening us and distorting the concept of ‘homeland’, those of the Golden Dawn are lecturing us on what democracy is,” Volt said.
Volt said Elam was promoting “fear and authoritarianism” and called on parties expected to cooperate with Elam in the new parliament to clarify whether they agreed with Elam’s positions.
How do you think Cyprus’s political parties should respond to proposals to ban rival parties?