The political confrontation between AKEL and the Democratic Rally (DISY) over the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI) continued on Saturday, with both parties exchanging fresh accusations over the project’s cost, ownership and viability.
While both parties describe the Cyprus-Greece-Israel electricity link as strategically important, they remain sharply divided over the conditions under which it should proceed and the interests it would serve.
AKEL demands answers on cost and ownership
AKEL accused DISY of attempting to divert the debate instead of addressing questions surrounding the GSI.
The party reiterated that its position on the electricity interconnection was “crystal clear”, describing it as strategically important for Cyprus’ energy security. It stressed, however, that the project must be implemented under terms that benefit society, the economy and the country.
In its statement, AKEL said:
Instead of providing answers, which it does not have, DISY resorts to crude diversion.
At a time when society is demanding answers about the electricity interconnection, DISY is exploiting a human tragedy in a crude attempt to conceal its heavy responsibility for the dire situation in which our country now finds itself in the critical energy sector.
DISY is trying in vain to escape its responsibilities. Society remembers the scandals, the failed energy projects, the extremely expensive electricity and the service of major interests under the Anastasiades-DISY administration. These are scandals being investigated by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, where DISY clearly has no ability to halt or influence any investigation.
DISY should answer the crucial question: does it not care how much the cable will cost Cyprus and how it will affect electricity prices? Does it not care who will own the project and how this will affect the country’s electricity market? Whose major interests does DISY once again seek to serve?
AKEL’s position on the electricity interconnection is crystal clear. It is strategically important for the country’s energy security, but it must proceed under terms that benefit society, the economy and Cyprus.
The government must answer these questions and stop hiding.
DISY accuses AKEL of creating obstacles
DISY responded by accusing AKEL of resorting to “toxicity and nihilism” and casting unsubstantiated suspicion over the project.
It also criticised the government, arguing that both the administration and AKEL support the GSI in theory but attach so many conditions and reservations that their stance does little to advance its implementation.
In its response, DISY said:
Through its latest response, AKEL has once again demonstrated its preferred political approach, one that fuels toxicity and nihilism by seeing scandals and major interests everywhere, while casting unsubstantiated suspicion over everyone except itself.
Smear tactics do not constitute political argument, yet AKEL has come to rely on them in every issue.
As far as the GSI is concerned, if there is any doubt about who is serving major interests, it certainly does not concern those who support a project of strategic importance to Cyprus.
It concerns those who, through constant questioning, insinuations and negativity, are creating obstacles to its implementation.
Verbally and theoretically, both the government and AKEL support the project. At the same time, however, they attach so many conditions and display such negativity that their delaying tactics do nothing in practice to facilitate a positive outcome.
Political will and proper planning in cooperation with Greece can give the project the momentum it needs to proceed under the best possible conditions for Cyprus and consumers. Timidity has been shown to produce the opposite result.
If the government and AKEL genuinely support what they say they do, they should demonstrate it in practice.
