Her support to the candidacy of Andreas Mavroyiannis for the upcoming presidential elections was expressed through a statement by the MP, Alexandra Attalidou.
"I have decided to stand by the independent presidential candidate Andreas Mavroyiannis because I believe that at this crucial moment his presence in the Presidency is what Cyprus needs for the next day," said Ms. Atalides.
Her statement
Since elections build democracies and increase citizens' trust in institutions, the upcoming presidential elections are doubly crucial because of the major challenges and problems that have pinned down democracy and institutions.
The immense powers of the President are exercised without the checks and balances provided by the 1960 Constitution. The President for five years has the power to make decisions and rule without meaningful control.
The lack of accountability and opacity have undermined the quality of democracy, while independent institutions have failed to adequately shield the rule of law, with the result that corruption has eroded both institutions and values, and citizens' faith in our state. We have all witnessed the discrediting of Cyprus by the actions of senior officials who, motivated by personal gain, have abused the power entrusted to them by the people. We are disgusted by the failure to deal with scandals and the attempt to cover up very serious cases of corruption.
Corruption that has drained all the political capital necessary for the support we need from other states and international organisations such as the United Nations.
The corruption that has become a barrier to the modernisation of the structures of the state and has even affected the process of the Cyprus settlement.
The corruption that holds the economy captive to a logic of immediate enrichment of a certain elite, while leaving the majority of citizens to face, now and in the future, the consequences of this dead-end economic policy.
The corruption that destroys the natural environment and prevents the proper management of climate change that threatens our country with desertification and will turn our children and grandchildren into environmental refugees.
The corruption that destroys the natural environment and prevents the proper management of climate change that threatens our country with desertification and will turn our children and grandchildren into environmental refugees. The corruption that has bred the culture of immediate profit and prevents the shift to sustainable development and the economic model that will ensure permanent, quality, green jobs that will keep our children in their homeland.
I believe that we need a President who understands these problems, who understands how difficult and painful it will be to solve them. We need a President who knows the workings of the European Union and the United Nations very well so that the day after his election he can initiate the processes to solve them. We need a President who will put the good interests of the whole above all else and will resist the pressures of powerful individuals or groups who promote their own interests at the expense of the citizens.
With this in mind, and having behind me a history of active participation in public life, either as an ordinary citizen or as a member of organised associations, I consider it my duty as a political person to declare my presence in the democratic process.
I have decided to stand by the independent presidential candidate Andreas Mavroyiannis because I believe that at this crucial moment his presence in the Presidency is what Cyprus needs for the next day.
I have known Andreas Mavroyiannis for 31 years. In all these years I have appreciated his integrity of character, his honesty, his love for Cyprus, his dedication to the service of this country, his experience and knowledge, the cultivation of his spirit, but above all the values and principles that define his life. For these reasons I will actively support his efforts in his bid for the Presidency of our country.
Cyprus needs change. Change that will strengthen democracy and the rule of law. Change that will ensure strong and independent institutions. Change that will guarantee the equality of citizens vis-à-vis the state. The rebirth of the state and institutions is urgent, so that the next President can claim the interests of the Cypriot people in its entirety.
I believe that with Andreas Mavroyiannis at the helm of the Republic of Cyprus, Cyprus can finally claim its rightful place as a member state of the European Union.
So that we can finally have the Cyprus we deserve.
To finally have the Cyprus we deserve. The Cyprus that can!
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