The allegations contained in the book by Makarios Drushiotis must be investigated, the candidate for the Presidency of the Republic, Andreas Mavroyiannis, said today at a press conference for the presentation of his proposals for the Rule of Law, the progressive modernization of the state, the institutions and the Public Administration.
Following the letter to the Independent Authority against Corruption, as well as today's meeting that A. Mavroyiannis had with the President and members of the Authority, a Press Conference was granted at the Central Election Headquarters.
Andreas Mavroyiannis highlighted before media representatives the vision and goals set by his candidacy for the restoration of ethics in the governance of the country.
He reiterated the need for a full investigation of what is recorded in the book "Mafia State. He noted that the Authority, expressed its willingness to look into the investigation of the letter, stressing that, if elected, it would provide all the necessary tools for the smooth functioning of the Authority and the effectiveness of all independent institutions.
At the same time, he stressed that over the last decade, our country has witnessed an unprecedented erosion of institutions from within, due to the undermining of their independence by the government itself.
"I am fully aware of the indignation felt by our fellow citizens over corruption issues. The corruption that is hurting our economy and social welfare. That alienates citizens from politics. That disappoints our young people. The corruption that keeps our country in bondage to the practices of the past. It is with these practices that we want to make a break," he said.
In our understanding, he said, the state, through its main arms - the public administration, its institutions, public bodies and independent institutions - must function in a way that achieves its mission to the greatest extent possible. To serve citizens, society, the economy and the country at large. It must build an environment of prosperity, security, trust, confidence, solvency and credibility at home and abroad, ensuring in all aspects of government functioning the principles of legitimacy, transparency, meritocracy and accountability.
Referring to some of the scandals that have hit our country, such as that of naturalization and then surveillance, Andreas Mavroyiannis stressed that this gloomy picture does not befit our country.
"It does not deserve the people of this country out there, who daily fight for survival, especially the young people who are struggling to live with dignity and create. They suffocate, they get frustrated, they get angry. Rightly so. The demand for change, a demand that is pervasive in society, emanates from this need to close the door once and for all to these sad phenomena of corruption, complicity, inequality, viciousness," he said. He concluded by stressing that our vision is to see our children grow up in a country where democracy, transparency, meritocracy and accountability are principles that will be respected and applied by all state authorities and independent institutions.
"Our vision is to live and create under a flexible model of public service that meets the demands and challenges of the New Era and that makes the experience of citizens and businesses in their dealings and communication with the public administration efficient and comfortable. A model of government that is reliable, fair and quick in its decisions. A state that serves its citizens and businesses and does not serve the interests of those who rule it. In other words, a state that stands beside and not against its citizens and businesses," he pointed out.
Book of Drusiotis: Can be investigated
Then, asked to comment on the meeting he had this morning with the President of the Anti-Corruption Authority, Andreas Mavroyiannis noted that we hope that the letter we sent to the Authority can be seen as an opportunity for the Commission to emerge and prove its worth and that it can function as a fully independent body.
He stressed that, the allegations in Mr Drusiotis' book need to be investigated. "There is room for investigation and if we want to have confidence in ourselves and in our democracy, such allegations must be investigated, and other allegations of a similar nature," he said. It would be unthinkable, he added, if we come forward and talk about the need to fight corruption and a book comes out containing all these allegations and there is no investigation.
He stated that, there is a determination and political will on our part to put an end to these phenomena on the one hand and on the other hand where and when possible we will make every effort and do what is necessary so that there is punishment for the culprits.
He also stressed that he will not make any suggestions to the Commission. He added that, we must give the people who make up the Authority the opportunity to prove what they can do. "I am not a preacher to come from on high and criticise," he noted.
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