President Nikos Christodoulides’s chief of staff resigned Tuesday after a video leak triggered a criminal investigation and mounting pressure from coalition and opposition parties.
Charalambos Charalambous stepped down as director of the presidential office alongside Philippa Karsera, who left the presidency of the Social Support Body. Christodoulides said the body is heading towards abolition or legislative reform. Authorities appointed a criminal investigator Tuesday to lead the probe.
The crisis erupted as Christodoulides prepares for Wednesday’s European Commission College meeting under Ursula von der Leyen, with the government struggling to find its rhythm again.
The government’s delayed response caused more damage than the video’s contents, creating the impression that sluggish reflexes have tarnished the administration’s image during Cyprus’s EU presidency. Charalambous’s presence in the video created substantial problems for the government due to his family relationship with Christodoulides. His falling into what authorities describe as a hybrid action against the state automatically raised questions about his removal, both for political accountability and to facilitate investigations.
The delayed resignation prompted backlash and created the impression it came only after pressure from both coalition and opposition parties.
Karsera’s departure from the Social Support Body failed to ease tensions and drew criticism for lacking announcements about the body’s operational reforms and for the emotional tone of her social media statement.
Christodoulides’s initial statement on the matter, during which he took no questions, failed to answer concerns or calm public reaction. All three moves finally came Monday, but the intervening time allowed criticism and negative impressions to solidify against the government.
The government now faces pressure for investigations to proceed rapidly and address key aspects including the motive behind the action—with the prevailing belief it represents a hybrid operation timed to Cyprus’s EU presidency assumption—who may be behind the video’s creation, and full investigation of the affair.
Coalition tensions surface
Christodoulides’s Monday reference to horizontal political costs for parties ahead of parliamentary elections caused displeasure within DIKO, the Democratic Party.
DIKO president Nikolaos Papadopoulos, speaking on RIK’s morning programme Tuesday, said strong party positions have an impact on society but stressed his party’s positions differed from opposition parties. He said DIKO gave the government time to handle the issue and played a constructive role through its interventions and proposals.
Papadopoulos made clear no question of withdrawing from the government arose, though he noted areas of disagreement and room for improved communication.
Marios Garoyan, president of the Democratic Alignment (DIPA), told RIK’s midday programme Tuesday that immediate, substantive and thorough investigation of all aspects of the case was needed.
“No one is above the law, regardless of name, position or party affiliation,” Garoyan said, adding that the search for truth cannot turn into a witch hunt.
DISY MP Demetris Demetriou, who chairs parliament’s Institutions Committee, sent a letter to the Accountant General requesting publication of all contributions made to the Independent Social Support Body fund. He said a draft law to improve the body’s operations would be tabled.
Opposition demands answers
AKEL said that beyond the belated resignations, honest answers are required about the operation of an alleged corruption mechanism and illegal financing at the Presidential Palace—something the communist party said emerges from the words of Christodoulides’s own associates.
The party pressed the Presidential Palace to answer whether a joint videoconference between Lakkotrypis and Charalambous with an “investor” took place.
“If this critical element also holds true, then the excuse that the government had no connection with Lakkotrypis’s activity collapses, and the existence at the Presidential Palace of a corruption mechanism serving Christodoulides himself is confirmed,” AKEL said, calling again on the Presidential Palace to respond.
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