Christodoulides skirts controversial ‘sirens’ comment
President Nikos Christodoulides on Thursday defended his evidently loaded speech during the swearing-in ceremony of his new cabinet and commissioners.
During Wednesday’s ceremony, he told new appointments: “close your ears to the sirens, all kinds of sirens. That’s what I do.”
It was perceived as a dig, in which he also urged them to ignore baseless criticism and work tirelessly towards their mission.
Asked to comment on it during an event at CyBC on Thursday, Christodoulides skirted a direct response, saying “during the swearing-in ceremony, I addressed everything we had implemented in only ten months in government.
“This is what our focus is with the new cabinet members: to respond to everything we promised the Cypriot people. I have nothing more to add.”
His speech during the ceremony did not go unnoticed with the apparent hints over the controversy surrounding the cabinet reshuffle. Specifically, he said: “Our task is far from easy and when something old changes, the resistance is strong. I am sure this will not frighten you.”
Christodoulides was referring to growing discontent among outgoing ministers, many of who found out they were being replaced through press reports, likely leaked by the president himself in an interview he gave over the cabinet reshuffle.
Outgoing ministers also did not veil their dissatisfaction, leaving barbed comments in their farewell speeches. Specifically former Justice Minister Anna Procopiou made a point to thank a slew of people but pointedly did not make any mention of Christodoulides.
Former Defence Minister Michalis Giorgallas said his replacement was “sudden” while the former deputy research minister said he resigned for his dignity.
Notably, the most palpably tense and awkward handover was between outgoing Health Minister Popi Kanari and permanent secretary Christina Yiannaki, where the two avoided eye contact and did not adhere to protocol during the ceremony. The two women have had a strained relationship since Kanari took over ten months ago.