Few are the times when someone remembers a politician’s speech, and even then, what they remember is usually a reference or a catchy phrase.
In most cases, the substance of what is said can go unnoticed.
Even those who choose to attend a conference rarely remember what has been said, even by their own leaders whom they stand and applaud passionately.
Few today, approximately two weeks later, remember what Ursula von der Leyen had said from the podium of the European People’s Party conference.
Her remarks do not concern only the European People’s Party and its allies but resonate with the majority of the citizens of the European Union and the residents of each member state in particular.
Addressing representatives of the European right, the centre-right and Christian democracy, Ursula von der Leyen pointed out that there should be no doubt about what is at stake in these elections:
“Our peaceful and united Europe is more challenged than ever by populists, nationalists, and demagogues. Whether they are far-right or far-left. […] The names may differ, but the goal is the same: They want to trample our values; they want to destroy our Europe.”
No one doubts the problems and weaknesses of the EU.
These problems are exploited politically by all kinds of nationalists and populists to gain political benefits.
They invest in temporary citizens’ grievances, which they rush to exploit to climb up politically.
If we look at the trajectory of all these forces, of the nationalists/populists, we will see that their path is the same.
They exploit the dissatisfaction felt by citizens at the moment towards those promising a world different from what they know, claiming that with “tough policies,” they will solve any issues.
These tendencies identified in the broader European context are also reflected in Cypriot reality.
The Cypriot far-right seeks to exploit existing problems today, partly due to several European policies.
In Cyprus, as in many other EU countries, the exploitation of the problems faced by the citizens to gain points is evident.
The rise in percentages is not coincidental. We’ve seen it happen in other countries as well… Greece, Italy, Germany, France, Sweden…
Regarding the Cypriot far-right, which over time has not only resurfaced but has been normalized, first by the political system itself and subsequently by society, it is no coincidence that today it is launched as the third political force, and as the faction protecting (supposedly) principles and values, ideals, and beliefs, and much more that is said.
It appears as the political force that will “cleanse the country from blacks and all sorts of foreigners.” All this, of course, only applies in theory, as none of what they proclaim can be implemented in practice.
Take, for example, immigration. Did the fact that they organized one or two groups of hooded individuals and attacked foreigners solve the problem? Absolutely not.
The problem began to be addressed when the state, through its democratic procedures, made decisions and implemented measures. However, some believe that it is the far-right that can solve the problem!
As do some who believe that by joining the ranks of the Cypriot far-right, they will achieve more than they had managed in the political space they are in today or were in until recently.
Whether it’s Andreas, Marios, Yiannis, Dimitris, Kostas, Panagiotis, it doesn’t matter. What everyone should ask themselves is whether strengthening the Cypriot far-right benefits the country.
Some want to retaliate against today’s leadership of DISY because they themselves did not have the skills and capabilities to achieve more in the position they held.
Moving towards the far-right, however, they only retaliate against themselves and their country, and at the same time offer an opportunity for the left to emerge strengthened in the next electoral confrontation.
Moving towards the far-right, the first thing they do is self-doubt everything they advocated or represented all along.
And when some so easily rush to leave behind what they advocated for, how can they be offered a platform to govern and, more importantly, to be believed?
Unless there are ulterior motives, as is the case today with the Cypriot far-right.
