Community leaders in fire-ravaged areas of mountainous Limassol have accused politicians of attempting to exploit last week’s deadly wildfire for political capital, whilst a government minister has questioned his party’s continued cooperation with the administration.
Village community leaders from fire-affected regions told Phileleftheros they received persistent phone calls yesterday from an individual with significant social media presence and declared support for a specific political party. The person, described as a founding member of the party, requested their participation in a protest against the government over the fatal blaze.
The individual asked community leaders and local residents to speak at tomorrow’s event in Limassol about state responsibilities for the destruction and the tragic loss of two lives. Whilst the event is organised by citizens, speculation exists about potential exploitation by political parties.
“Everyone exploits the pain and destruction. But what are we supposed to protest about regarding the fire? Whatever comes to mind,” said Silikou community leader Nikos Aresti.
“If there are responsibilities, let them find them. What needs to happen is that the same mistakes are not repeated again”.
Aresti confirmed that someone contacted him requesting he speak at a protest event. “We want them to deliver on what they have promised us. We don’t want people shouting after the damage is done. We wanted people to be there when we were fighting the fire,” he said.
Meanwhile, DEPA member of parliament Michalis Giakoumi has raised questions about his party’s cooperation with the government in a letter to party leader Marios Garoyian.
Party circles view this action with suspicion, as rumours have circulated for some time about Giakoumi’s potential departure from DEPA to another political space.
Party sources noted the information has reached DEPA officials, who perceive not only political exploitation but also an undermining of efforts to create broader consensus and cooperation.
“How is it possible, when we speak through our conference decision about broader cooperation of political forces for the good of the country, when the country requires unity and cooperation of all at a difficult moment, to raise the issue of a decision to withdraw from the government and political confrontations?” party circles commented.
The letter is not signed by any other MP or party official, despite information suggesting the MP attempted to approach other officials.
In his letter, Giakoumi states that whilst the party’s announcement on the fires highlights inadequacies and confirmed state responsibility, as evident from the President’s address, and proposes institutional interventions, it avoids the basic political consequence of distancing itself from the government.
“In other words, we recognise the responsibilities without doing what is required towards society: to withdraw our support from a government that does not consider human loss since it does not feel the slightest need to assume political responsibility,” he wrote.
Giakoumi concludes by expressing disagreement with the party line and requesting an immediate convening of the party’s collective bodies “to take the decisions that circumstances require”.
The Council of Ministers meeting today will formally approve support measures for fire victims announced on Sunday by President Christodoulides following his meeting with community leaders from the affected area.
The President has instructed relevant state services to expedite procedures to overcome bureaucratic issues and provide immediate assistance to residents, particularly families with young children, beginning with payment of lump sums for immediate daily needs.
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