T
he Anastasiades- Democratic Rally (right wing) government already counts two years of administration in a very critical period for Cyprus.
It is for this reason that we also consider our duty to recall what did and what did not happen. These are some elements out of a long list:
Governmental Commitments
De-commitments
They promised bridging loans that would have allowed them to positively negotiate with their European “friends” for improvement of the Memorandum.
They agreed on a far worse Memorandum.
They called “Cause of War” the deposits haircut, privatizations, increase of the corporate tax.
All of these are included in the Memorandum which they signed and now call their “political manifesto”.
Substantial reduction of unemployment.
Unemployment is above 16%.
Safeguarding salaries and pensions.
Salaries and pensions were reduced.
Commitment on the protection of small-debtors and of housing (main residence).
They promote divestments of housing and small business premises.
Promised to the workers of the semi-state Organizations (Corporations) that he would not proceed on selling the public wealth.
They promote privatizations of the public organizations.
They promised a national strategy for the exploitation of the natural gas with a deadline that should be followed to the letter.
There is an unforeseen and inexcusable delay and inactivity.
Promised that they would not accept the abolition of the marketable securities.
They signed their abolition.
They would not accept the cancellation of stocks.
They nullified them during the Eurogroup of 25th of March 2013.
They were talking about a “Government by the people for the people”
The only interests that they serve so far are those of bank and big enterprises.
They committed to combat tax evasion.
Their commitment turned into a protection net for the big-debtors and a constant hunting of small-debtors that are dragged to courts.
They promised motives, grants and state land for the restructuring of agriculture.
The farmers are still waiting.
Stated that they had the ability and the relations in the international community that would allow them to present alternative proposals that would have pushed forward a meaningful negotiation and corner Turkey in regard with the Cyprus Problem.
Implementation of the General Health System. Proposal for paying off debts. Foundation of a wide guarantee mechanism. Promised not to increase taxation and to reduce the VTA for the first vocational premises to 5%.
Still it was not possible for the negotiations to get started. Turkey as the occupying force, even though has the main responsibility for the deadlock, becomes more provocative and aggressive. Despite all these, the stance of the international community remains either indifferent towards Turkey, or negative towards our side.
Not only they didn’t proceed with its implementation, but the government is trying to submit the System to the interests of the private sector, turning it to a multi-insurance system. The debtors are still waiting. It was not implemented but they proposed an alternative with huge weaknesses. Was not implemented.
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