Complaints by the Consumers Association regarding the e-kalathi, the case of possible conflict of interest involving former Cyprus Football Association President Giorgos Koumas, the renewed debate initiated by AKEL on protecting borrowers, investigations into the disappearance of 13.6kg of TNT from the Kalo Chorio firing range, the meeting of the Paphos Municipal Council, as well as the statement by former DISY leader Averof Neophytou that the state payroll is on an unsustainable trajectory, are among the issues highlighted in today’s front pages.
Alithia, in its main story titled “Price cooking on e-kalathi”, writes that the Cyprus Consumers Association found that instead of facilitating consumers, the platform is misleading them, and that the prices displayed could mislead consumers about which supermarket is cheaper or more expensive. Elsewhere, it writes that “the talking starts…” and that a new meeting between Christodoulides and Erhürman has been scheduled for 24 February. It also reports that the weather system that affected Greece is now reaching Cyprus, with dust leaving and storms arriving.
Politis, under the headline “Investigations gathering dust”, writes that serious criminal cases that were thoroughly investigated and led to findings against political and sports officials have been sitting for months under review at the Attorney-General’s Office. Elsewhere, it reports that the possibility of an error in counting or transporting the 13.6kg of TNT that disappeared from the Kalo Chorio firing range has been ruled out. It also writes about assistance dogs, noting that a bill tabled in Parliament foresees fines of up to €8,000 for denying access.
Phileleftheros, with the headline “The Koumas case in its final stage”, reports that the Attorney-General’s Office spoke to the paper about revelations by criminal investigator Ms. Lykourgou, and that after a twelve-year delay regarding possible conflict of interest, potential offences by football officials are now coming to light. In another story it writes that Paphos Mayor Phaedon Phaedonos was turned down by municipal councillors. It also reports that the Archbishop said “yes” to Faneromeni and that the Archbishopric is granting the historic building to the University of Cyprus.
Haravgi, under the headline “Households held hostage by foreclosures”, reports that on AKEL’s initiative the debate on protecting borrowers is reopening in Parliament, and that AKEL has urgently requested that the bill it resubmitted and which has been pending since 2023 be discussed. In another article it reports a major surge in Influenza A and other viruses, which are “striking” children and adults over 65. Elsewhere, it refers to the Lykourgou report and asks: “Why are Savvidis and Angelidis silent about the Lykourgou findings on what is rotten in the CFA?”
The English-language Cyprus Mail, under the headline “State payroll on unsustainable path,” writes that former DISY leader Averof Neophytou said that rising costs could instead finance 15,000 affordable homes. In another piece, it refers to prices on the e-kalathi platform, adding that the Consumers Association has raised concerns about misleading pricing and warned that supermarkets might “cook” prices to appear cheaper than competitors. It also reports that social media is exacerbating mental health disorders among teenagers.
The dominant issue in today’s Turkish Cypriot press is the assessment of Tufan Erhürman’s first 100 days in office as leader. Other topics include the dispute over holding early “elections”, revelations about the Epstein scandal, allegations regarding the allocation of forest land, and concerns about Cyprus possibly being drawn into a potential escalation between the US and Iran.
The newspaper Avrupa (Europe), in its main story titled “Perversion and immorality”, refers to the release of the voluminous “Epstein file” by the US Department of Justice. In another item, it reports on Tufan Erhürman’s press conference reviewing his first 100 days, during which he said he is awaiting a response from Cevdet Yılmaz regarding the ban on Turkish Cypriots entering Turkey. Elsewhere, the paper writes about the allocation of 3,454 dönüms of low forest land for investment purposes, an action strongly condemned by politicians and environmental groups as an ecological disaster.
Halkın Sesi (The Voice of the People), in its main story titled “Political equality will not be subject to negotiation”, refers to Erhürman’s statements during his “presidential” review, where he said that political equality and rotating presidency are fundamental principles for the survival of Turkish Cypriots and are not up for discussion. In another story it notes that the CTP proposed early “elections” for 26 April, but “prime minister” Ünal Üstel said elections are scheduled for 2027 and instead proposed a referendum in May on “judicial” reform. Elsewhere, it refers to a “war alert” due to possible US-Iran conflict.
Kıbrıs (Cyprus), in its main headline “No one can make me abandon political equality”, also focuses on Erhürman’s review and his stance on political equality. In another article, it publishes Üstel’s response to calls for early elections: “First judicial reform, then elections.” It also reports that the first one-on-one meeting between Tufan Erhürman and President Nikos Christodoulides has been scheduled for 24 February.
Yeni Düzen (New Order) headlines its main story “He avoids both elections and explanations”, writing that the CTP is calling for the resignation of the Üstel “government” amid allegations of bribery and corruption. Elsewhere it refers to Erhürman’s press conference. In another piece it reports on the clash in the “parliament” over early elections, with the CTP leader saying “rot has reached the top of the state” and the “interior minister” Dursun Oğuz responding sarcastically that “elections are not held just because you want them.”
Source: CNA