AKEL

Dhekelia residents threaten to shut down power station

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Dhekelia residents threaten to shut down power station

Residents near the Dhekelia power plant have threatened to shut down the station due to unfulfilled promises that it would cease operations by 2019. The plant’s operation and its effects on nearby communities were discussed in parliament, with community leaders from Ormidia and Xylotymbou participating. These leaders expressed dissatisfaction with the compensation provided since 2016, which was given with the expectation that the plant would close by 2019. Ormidia’s community leader, Christofis Kasiaouris, highlighted the frustration of the area’s 20,000 residents over the continued operation of the power station. Xylotymbou’s community leader, Kyriacos Papageorgiou, disagreed with plans to upgrade the plant and keep it operational until 2029. The Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) has proposed installing two new internal combustion engines at Dhekelia, which is one of three EAC power plants and has a capacity of 460 MW. Alexis Michaelides from the EAC suggested that new compensation for the communities could be negotiated once the upgrade is confirmed. Ormidia has received €1 million in compensation for infrastructure projects, while Xylotymbou has received €200,000. The chair of the House energy committee, Kyriacos Hadjiyiannis, noted the plant’s impact on health, stating that pollution is tangible in the area. Akel MP Andreas Pashiourtides argued that compensation to these communities should be comparable to that given to residents near the Vasiliko power station.

Opposition slams president, ’s lack of vision

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Opposition slams president, ’s lack of vision

– President Nikos Christodoulides presented government goals for 2024, outlining a series of 80 points for action.
– Opposition parties responded critically to the presentation, with Akel suggesting the government has previously failed to meet its own standards and Disy accusing the president of repeating previously stated plans.
– Disy noted that the budget passed reflects the actions to be taken in 2024 and includes development projects and implementation of previously voted reforms.
– Disy was partially satisfied with the extension of maternity leave to 22 weeks from the first child, a proposal they supported.
– Disy has also proposed legislative changes to allow voting rights at 17, with proposals tabled since June 1, 2023.
– Finance Minister Makis Keravnos stated that the ministry is prepared to meet the goals set for 2024 and emphasized the importance of moving forward with goals for the benefit of Cyprus.
– The 2024 budget includes a significant primary surplus to support the announced goals and respond to the needs of the Cypriot people within the context of a modern, evolving European country.

Opposition slams president, ’s lack of vision

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Opposition slams president, ’s lack of vision

– President Nikos Christodoulides presented government goals for 2024, outlining a series of 80 points for action.
– Opposition party Akel criticized the government for not achieving previously set high standards and for not presenting anything new beyond the election campaign promises.
– Disy, another opposition party, labeled the president a “copycat” for repeating statements made by ministers during budget presentations and expressed skepticism about the creation of a new vision.
– Disy was pleased with the partial acceptance of their proposal to extend maternity leave to 22 weeks from the first child.
– Disy has submitted recommendations for the budget review, including further support for families with three or more children, and has tabled legislative proposals for voting rights at 17 since June 1, 2023.
– Finance Minister Makis Keravnos stated that his ministry is prepared to meet the goals set by Christodoulides for 2024 and emphasized the importance of moving forward with goals for the benefit of Cyprus.
– The 2024 budget includes a significant primary surplus to support the president’s goals and the country’s obligations as a European nation.

Turkish Cypriot property being , ‘misused in Polis’

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Turkish Cypriot property being , ‘misused in Polis’

Lawmakers in Cyprus have been informed of illegal practices involving the cultivation of Turkish Cypriot land in the Polis area. Around 16,000 decares of land near the village of Polis are being cultivated without proper leases. Individuals involved in these practices are illegally subletting the land and receiving subsidies from the Agricultural Payments Organisation (Koap), which pays €25 per decare. An official from Koap confirmed the existence of such fraudulent activities. The House refugees committee has requested investigations by the Turkish Cypriot Properties Management Service and Koap to determine if the individuals receiving subsidies are the actual farmers working the land. Some legal leaseholders are also subletting their land through unofficial agreements, collecting subsidies while the actual farmers use the land without paying rent. Lawmakers have suggested that these lands should be utilized by refugees and displaced persons. Concerns were also raised about the lack of mention of refugees in the President’s recent policy speech.

Government needs a new economic agenda

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Government needs a new economic agenda

The trade unions and the Minister of Finance in Cyprus are in disagreement over the automatic wage indexation policy. The government had previously agreed to adjust salaries and pensions of public employees at a cost of 1.2 billion euros, but now the finance ministry is reconsidering this decision due to warnings from the European Commission, the IMF, and the country’s Fiscal Council about the risks to fiscal stability. The unions are trying to reverse reforms that were made as part of the country’s rescue package by the EU, IMF, and ECB. The author suggests that the government should implement policy measures to address fiscal risks and drive growth and competitiveness, such as incentivizing employees to work past retirement age and creating a sovereign fund. Additionally, the author recommends addressing the demographic risk by providing affordable housing to new couples with EU citizenship. It is unclear if the president has the vision and priorities to implement these policies.