AKEL General Secretary Stefanos Stefanou has criticised a TikTok video featuring House President Annita Demetriou and MEP Fidias Panayiotou, describing it as an example of populist politics.
Speaking on Omega’s “Enimerosi Tora”, Stefanou said the video presented simplified solutions to complex social issues without explaining how they could be implemented.
He said the proposals promoted in the video could not be carried out in the way they were presented, noting that parliament does not have executive powers to implement such policies. Any serious political proposal, he added, must be accompanied by clear costing and a specific funding plan.
Stefanou also revealed that he had recently met Panayiotou, with the discussion focusing extensively on support for families and measures to address Cyprus’ low birth rate.
He referred to an AKEL proposal for financial support of €5,000 for a first child, €10,000 for a second child and €15,000 for a third child, saying the measure had already been costed at around €70 million a year.
The AKEL leader said political debate should be based on documented proposals rather than broad announcements, stressing that citizens have the right to know both the cost of a measure and how it would be implemented.
He also questioned the consistency of the positions presented in the video, arguing that there had not been sufficient political will over time to effectively address issues such as housing and support for young families.
Asked about Demetriou’s participation in the video, Stefanou said he would not have chosen such an approach himself. He also expressed concern over differing statements by members of Immediate Democracy regarding the purpose of the initiative.
Stefanou concluded that political credibility is judged through comprehensive and costed proposals, not through appearances on social media.
