Christodoulides ‘fully ready to do nothing’, Politis columnist says

Writing on November 1, Theano Kalavana argued that Christodoulides repeatedly promises initiatives on the Cyprus issue but has little to show for them.

Under the headline “A President Who Is Fully Ready. To Do Nothing”, she challenged his repeated assurances that he was ready for negotiations, an enlarged conference, new proposals and confidence-building measures.

Her central criticism was that readiness was a basic requirement of the presidency, rather than an achievement for which Christodoulides should expect political credit.

Kalavana questioned what had changed on the ground since he took office in March 2023, despite repeated statements about diplomatic momentum and opportunities for progress.

She highlighted the failure to open a single new crossing point during his presidency.

Acknowledging that opening crossings required agreement between the sides, and that Ankara also had responsibilities, she nevertheless questioned Christodoulides’ ability to turn discussions into practical results.

The columnist was equally dismissive of the emphasis placed on his proposals. She argued that presenting 19 proposals meant little if none was implemented, and that presidential effectiveness could not be measured by the volume of suggestions submitted.

Kalavana accused Christodoulides of creating a cycle in which progress was always expected after the next meeting, visit or conference, while the absence of results became increasingly accepted.

She argued that this approach extended to his government’s handling of domestic problems, including wildfires, energy costs, water shortages and livestock disease. Citizens, she said, continued to pay for delays while the government spoke about preparations and future plans.

For Kalavana, the deeper problem was the presentation of intentions as action, diplomatic activity as achievement and waiting as strategy.

She contrasted the president’s calendar of meetings, visits and photographs with the everyday consequences of division: queues at crossings, young people growing up without knowing the other community, ageing displaced people and lost opportunities for cooperation.

Looking ahead to a trilateral meeting she said was scheduled for November 9, Kalavana expressed hope for at least one concrete outcome.

Her conclusion was that Christodoulides would be judged by what he delivered, rather than how often he declared himself ready to act.