The state budget of 2023 does not sufficiently meet what we would expect in order for the country to achieve a leap forward, said President of ELAM, Christos Christou, who said that economic policy must go beyond the limits of simple management, implementing a strategic plan with vision, clear objectives and timetables, with a beginning, middle and end at each stage of programme implementation.
In his speech on the 2023 state budget, Mr. Christou said that "it is common knowledge that the upcoming Presidential Elections have their own unique peculiarity", adding that "all three leading candidates have each served the current administration from their own position", which in his view "is the greatest proof that their election will not bring about substantial change".
On the migration problem, he said that "it is one of the biggest problems facing Cyprus today, with implications for all other issues and driven by Turkey", adding that his party has warned several times about the issue and stressed that "these are sums that come from the State Budget and not from the European Union".
He said that "now the reality is in front of all of us with the most official assumptions", to add that ELAM proposes the immediate cutting of all allowances and funds related to illegal immigrants, while every year it gives the opportunity to every party and MP who wants to react, to support its amendments.
Specifically, he said that ELAM proposes to solve the problem by stopping the subsidy policy, since it is not possible for Cyprus to be the most attractive destination, while noting that the problem will be solved by concluding inter-state agreements for the implementation of mass deportations.
He also noted that "ELAM has publicly proposed the granting of travel documents to those in Cyprus to travel to any European Union country they wish", as well as "strict control of the Line of Opposition with natural and artificial barriers".
In addition, he said that ELAM proposes "suspending the acceptance of asylum applications", noting that "Greece did so in the well-known events in Evros."
He also referred to public health, which is another aspect of the problem, saying that these people benefit from the General Health System in public hospitals without paying a single euro, as all Cypriot citizens do.
In addition, he referred to what has been heard about people with active TB in Pournara and the resulting threat to public health, expressing the view that "these people should be identified and isolated within the premises and not allowed to move freely".
In relation to the phenomena of ghettoization and incidents, Christou said that "ELAM has been in various areas of free Cyprus next to the residents for this big problem and there is a feeling of insecurity and fear in the people".
Referring to the economy, he said that "businesses, households and workers are experiencing an emergency situation", noting that "we have the obligation to come up with solutions that have probably never been used before."
Towards this direction we have submitted as a party a series of proposals , primarily for assistance to specific groups of the population who are unable to make ends meet. To date we have met with the government's refusal to take a decision on their implementation. In general, the state planning lacks a vision for the future.
Referring to young people, he said that there is absolutely no incentive for the bright minds of Cyprus, who emigrate in search of a better future and we see them excelling abroad, to underline that ELAM proposes the creation of a "first job" system, which completely exempts the first hire tax of a young person under 30 years old.
With regard to single parents, three-parent families and large families, the President of ELAM reiterated his party's proposal for the immediate abolition of income criteria.
Referring to the primary sector of production, namely Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, he said that "in the face of a coming food crisis, the core of the State's policy should be investment in the productive sector", noting that "today as never before, the State must protect local production, strengthen it and give incentives to young people who want to engage in the sector against unfair competition from abroad and the occupied countries".
Regarding accuracy, Mr. Christou said that unfortunately, to date they have not seen any long-term planning from the government, "only mid-term solutions that did not solve the problems in their essence," while on the issue of defense, he said that his party's position remains firm on strengthening and reinforcing the National Guard.
The President of ELAM referred to health, saying that "the state hospitals need immediate support, both with personnel and equipment", while on pensioners he said that "the state chooses to keep them on the sidelines".
Moreover, he referred to the banking sector, saying that banking institutions "have in their hands superpowers at the expense of borrowers, whom the State artfully calls strategic defaulters."
Referring to the resolution passed by the majority of MPs last Friday on General George Grivas Digenis, Mr. Christou referred to a "hate resolution", while he spoke of reviving - in the worst way - old passions, quarrels and conflicts.
"I fully understand," he said, "that AKEL, seeing its rallies low and the percentages of the presidential candidate it supports lower, has chosen this time to sow discord among the people again, believing that it will benefit in terms of electoral percentages. After all, it is well known that the Cypriot Left has invested in internal conflict from 1974 to the present day in order to gain political clout. In this particular case, however, it has unfortunately managed to tow four more parties along with it, achieving its goal."
Source: CNA
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