Alpha News

“Witch Hunt and Cannibalism”: Political Scene Shaken, Parties Annoyed with President

Published January 13, 2026, 18:12

The political landscape in Cyprus is in turmoil following President Christodoulides' statements regarding the scandal and the potential impact of the parties' reaction on the elections. The governing coalition expressed annoyance at the President's 'prophecy', while parties such as DIKO and EDEK feel unfairly treated and neglected, as there has been no communication from the President's side after the initial reactions. Other parties, such as DIPA and AKEL, criticized the attempt to discredit the parties and the President's lack of initiative in combating corruption. Independent MP Alexandra Attalidou described undermining democracy through corruption as toxic. Meanwhile, MEP Sandro Gozzi submitted a question to the European Commission regarding the leaked video, emphasizing that the issue is not limited to Cyprus. The scandal has garnered international attention, with references in major international media outlets such as the Financial Times and The Guardian, which highlight the political cost for President Christodoulides, given that the fight against corruption was central to his pre-election agenda. The parties' reactions focus on criticism of the President for attempting to link their criticism of the scandal to the potential impact on the elections. They believe that the pursuit of truth should not turn into a 'witch hunt' and that democracy is undermined by cover-ups, not by the exposure of scandals. Overall, the scandal has provoked strong reactions and put the Christodoulides government in a difficult position, as the case threatens to undermine its credibility and create political costs.