Disy accuses government of misleading public over semi-government appointments

Nicosia, Cyprus. Opposition party Disy accused the government on Monday of misleading the public by presenting what it described as politically motivated appointments to semi-governmental organisations as merit-based selections. The party said the appointments raised issues of political culture and accountability.

Disy response to government spokesman

In a statement responding to Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis, Disy spokesman Onoufrios Koullas said the party would continue to respond when challenged by the government.

“We understand the difficult position the government finds itself in after being caught red-handed misleading citizens into believing it made merit-based appointments,” Koullas said.

Criticism of appointment process

Koullas also referred to President Nikos Christodoulides’ recent criticism of previous appointment practices.

“The President should not forget that if there was a ‘party’, as he described it, then he himself participated in it without objection for an entire decade,” Koullas said.

Disy argued that the government had appointed party officials and associates of the president, “some through the back door”, and rejected the assertion that the selections resulted from an objective evaluation process.

“Disy knows what it stands for. But what does our centre-right direction have to do with the deception, favouritism and expediency of the Presidential Palace?” Koullas said.

He said the government had not provided convincing answers to the criticism, adding: “Do they expect us to congratulate them?”

Akel calls for explanation

On Saturday, Akel accused the advisory council of being bypassed in the appointment of members to semi-government boards and called for the process to be publicly explained.