Volt Cyprus, the newly formed party that emerged from the partnership between the initiatives ‘Famagusta – For Cyprus’ and ‘New Wave’, has started to attract new members, aiming to succeed in the upcoming European and municipal elections, scheduled to be held in June 2024.
Rodoula Demetriades, founding member of Volt Cyprus and candidate for the European Board of Volt Europa, presents the positions and vision of the party, stressing that it aims not only to bring an additional option to Cypriot politics but also a new way of engagement with new organisational structures.
What inspired the creation of Volt Cyprus and what differentiates it from the existing political parties in Cyprus?
The creation of Volt Cyprus has been our ambition since the moment we got to know the philosophy, the way of operation and the positions of Volt Europa, about two and a half years ago. The principles and philosophy of Volt were exactly what we felt was missing from the political scene in Cyprus. The need for a political party expressing the real political centre, with a progressive philosophy, social policies and full identification with Europe and the vision of European integration.
What differentiates Volt from the existing political parties is that we are in lively communication with a core of active citizens in Europe, with whom we share common values and to whom we communicate our concerns, in order to have active allies at the European level.
Volt Cyprus comes at the right conjuncture to fill a big political gap that the existing parties in our country are unable to fill. As a modernist, Europeanist, pragmatic, progressive and reunificationist party, Volt Cyprus represents a large part of society that does not identify with either of the two major parties, but also with the nationalist and rejectionist ‘centre’.
Can you give an overview of your party’s main objectives and the key issues it seeks to address in Cyprus?
Our main goal is to establish ourselves in the Cypriot political scene as a truly progressive party, in order to halt the worrying trend of our society towards conservatism, populism and nationalism. We believe that the existence of Volt will contribute to the rationalisation of the political life of Cyprus, enriching the debate with innovative ideas that will help to break the deadlocks to which the sterile confrontation of the traditional parties has led us.
We are convinced that Volt’s pan-European vision, adapted to the specificities of Cypriot society, can offer solutions to the problems facing our country.
The two political entities behind Volt Cyprus, ‘Famagusta – For Cyprus’ and ‘New Wave – Another Cyprus’, participated in the previous elections as rivals. How were key disagreements bridged, allowing the creation of Volt Cyprus?
We realised almost immediately that, in reality, we did not have serious differences, but were united by our common vision of a united Cyprus and a united Europe and by our progressive values. Now we are all part of Volt and it does not matter whether a member comes from “New Wave – The Other Cyprus” or from “Famagusta for Cyprus”. Let’s not forget that many people who had nothing to do with these two groups, but who share the progressive values of Volt, have already joined our effort.
What is your organic relationship with Volt Europa?
Volt operates autonomously in each country. Our obligation is to follow the Volt values with which we identify. We think European – We act local. The specificities of each country are taken into account when making decisions concerning national issues. Volt Cyprus seeks to raise the Cyprus Problem at a European level, not for purposes of impressions or internal consumption, but to help create the necessary conditions for its resolution. The solution of the Cyprus Problem is a top priority for us because we are convinced that the lack of a solution is the source of most of the other problems facing the country, such as partisanship and corruption. The passing of time has proven to work against all of us.
How does your party intend to approach the political landscape of Cyprus, which often requires cooperation with political parties and groups of different ideologies?
Our party wishes to be a distinct political choice, which is why it has clear and specific positions to guide us. At the same time, as a modern realistic political project, we do not place barriers but wish to engage in a fruitful, productive dialogue with all the forces of progress and creativity in our country.
We invite all Cypriots who share with us the same principles and aspirations to register with our party and contribute to the challenging effort to democratize Cyprus and empower its citizens. As a new voice on the political scene, we aspire to be able to represent all those who are concerned about the future of our country and who envision a more European, more progressive Cyprus, a truly democratic Cyprus, with transparent procedures, devoid of corruption. Above all, we invite all those who wish for a reunited, European Cyprus.
Your party aims to establish a structure of co-presidency, with a male and a female co-president. Beyond symbolism, how do you think this will practically strengthen the political scene?
The co-presidency of a man and a woman is not an objective, nor a symbol, but the way Volt operates in all countries. It applies to all Volt bodies and is guaranteed by party constitutions. It is a safeguard for a minimum representation of women in the decision-making process since they are underrepresented not only in Cyprus but everywhere. Diversity and inclusion are proven to contribute to more successful decision-making.
The co-presidency structure cannot give rise to a split nor have any negative effects because decisions are taken by the political council via a majority vote. The co-chairs are equal members charged with the public representation of Volt.
Rumour has it that known personalities of Cypriot politics will participate as candidates of Volt Cyprus in the local and European elections. What can we expect?
We are in favour of cooperation and have demonstrated this in practice. We are already in contact with personalities that we value and consider having a convergence of views – I believe that in our ballot papers for the forthcoming local and European elections, we will go forth with the same perspective, presenting both new individuals and well-known personalities, based on having a common set of political views.
A necessary prerequisite for starting the process of exploring the possibility of cooperation is having a common vision of a strong federal Europe and a united Cyprus, through the principles of political equality, bi-communalism, human rights, multiculturalism, diversity and inclusion, as well as supporting a secular state with a modern and democratic education.
