Odysseas Michaelides has made his move. As of yesterday, he officially entered the political arena with “Alma” (Leap). This development could not escape the typical pattern in our country – many criticised various aspects of the announcement.
Some disliked the movement’s name, others were disappointed by the lack of well-known figures surrounding him, while some grumbled because they didn’t hear clear proposals addressing the serious problems facing our nation.
The most malicious critics – those who for years couldn’t stand the sight of him and struggled to remove him as an obstacle to their schemes – resorted to sarcasm. They questioned whether this was a long jump, a broad jump, a high jump or simply a leap into the void.
Yet it was nothing more than a simple announcement of a new political movement’s formation. Nothing more than a straightforward invitation to citizens to join forces. Nothing more than the unveiling of a new political entity’s name.
A general declaration of principles was presented. Within this, however, the political orientation of the new movement was outlined: “Our central aim is the radical restructuring of the country to create an economically prosperous, fair and dignified society. Cyprus needs a restart now. The existing political system, as it has evolved and become distorted, constitutes an obstacle to the country’s progress”.
And this: “We will not tolerate the pervasive corruption, collusion, nepotism and arrogance that plague the country”. And this: “We do not accept the fatalistic ‘This is Cyprus’ or ‘Look the other way’, nor do we accept being governed by the so-called ‘best of the best'”. And this: “We resist market speculation and oligopolies, dishonest entrepreneurship, and the recycling and widening of inequalities”.
Yes, these statements are broad. However, specific policy proposals are expected to be announced when the new movement is officially launched – in autumn 2025, as Odysseas Michaelides stated yesterday. Until then, we must be patient.
The new initiative will ultimately be judged by those proposals. No one expects the former Auditor General to reveal anything new about the monsters of corruption and collusion. Everyone already knows about those.
What people do expect to hear is precisely how this radical restructuring of society will be achieved. How Cyprus will be restarted. How the state will become effective, with strategic targeting and reliable institutions.
Anyone who expected a full electoral programme capable of radically changing a stagnant state and a dulled political system from yesterday’s announcement of an ideological-political manifesto probably has little understanding of political pragmatism.
Similarly, the same applies to the first individuals who appeared alongside Odysseas Michaelides. Most were unknown to the majority of society.
Had well-known public figures appeared, however, we would likely have criticised him for promoting entrenched political careerists, or for surrounding himself with individuals carrying political baggage.
We are not trying to sugar-coat this. Nor are we playing the role of Odysseas Michaelides’ advocate. We have no interest in such a role. This column supported him countless times during the attacks he faced as Auditor General because, in our view, public interest demanded it.
We don’t hesitate even now to repeat that regarding public oversight and the fight against corruption, Cyprus has gone bankrupt. We will analyse this at some point.
Today, however, Odysseas Michaelides has crossed into the political sphere. And we will judge him as we do everyone else in this arena – but only when he properly begins.
When he starts presenting proposals and taking positions. When he shows who his collaborators will be in the new movement. Not simply because “Alma” was introduced yesterday.
Yesterday, he also referenced the Cyprus problem and the solution his new movement advocates. Much was said, but there’s little point in commenting on various aspects.
For this column, two points are particularly significant, beyond the labels traditional politicians have repeated for years: A solution consistent with EU law without any deviation, and a state without third-party intervention rights of any form or for any reason.
I don’t know what the new political movement will demonstrate going forward or whether it will prove substantive and effective enough to provide hope for a different Cyprus – which we so deeply desire.
Certainly, however, we fully agree with his call: Now is the time for citizens to act for Cyprus. For the ‘Leap’ towards the future. Because, and we endorse this, without a healthy public life, we all become poorer, especially our country.
