7 March 2025 - Reform or convenience?
The latest appointments of 209 community leaders by the Government are nothing more than further proof that local government remains a means of serving party interests, rather than a mechanism for change or development. From the fact that appointments were made even in community districts with a minimal population, which already have a deputy mayor, we understand that we are talking about another episode of the farce in which the reform of Local Government is evolving.
The most impressive thing about the whole story is that whilst individuals are being appointed, the deputy mayors remain with titles, but without real duties. Obviously, ensuring the manipulation of the same ineffective system by the old party establishment was a basic reason for this situation.
The endless process of political games and servicing is holding Cyprus back in the past. No word of modernisation or improvement! While modern systems can now provide almost all the certified documents that were supposedly undertaken by community leaders, we insist on anachronistic institutions of past decades.
Instead of making real changes, all we are doing is recycling the same, old system. The reform of local government was a significant achievement that needs rationalisation. Changes are needed, but not those that serve the party establishment. Especially regarding the deputy mayors, it is obvious that the institution needs to be re-evaluated, since it will most likely have to be adapted or even abolished in its current form.
However, until these changes are made, they should be assigned a thematic portfolio with significant responsibilities by law. Local Government has an important and broad task to accomplish and Deputy Mayors can and should be utilised appropriately for the remainder of their term.
The essence of local government reform is to facilitate the life and daily routine of the citizen.
Reforms are needed that will take our country forward and not appointments with which the old party system will maintain its chairs and posts without any substance.