Front Page Headlines
Holy “guerilla war” from Morphou
Bishop Neophytos says he “takes responsibility” for breaking ordinances! Tolerance shown by the state to clergy calling for insubordination regarding the measures brings on new rant by the bishop. No intention by Police to intervene to open invitation to faithful to attend services despite bans that have been imposed. Situation becoming worse and worse. Another 403 cases yesterday and two deaths. At the same time, supporters of conspiracy theories carry out disobedience protests.
- Sanctions on Turkey: Difficulty in reaching decisions in Brussels, Europeans divided
- Parliament: Odysseas – Hasikos in the trenches (over passports)
- Passports: Roulette of responsibilities for the casino 27
(Measures) Brought rage and despair
A torrent of reactions from (entertainment) venue owners, shop owners, teachers, clergy, artists. They warn of an economic collapse and increase of unemployment.
- First ten days of December cause fear – 20 patients in critical condition in hospitals – 13 people in ICUs (intensive care units) and 7 in HDUs (high dependency units) – 236 positive results from rapid tests
- Summit: All-night diplomatic thriller over sanctions on Turkey
- Bishops displeased with government measures: Morphou raised the banner and Archbishop was enraged
- New clash between Odysseas – Hasikos: Only 49.7 million euro to the state out of 7 billion euro gained from passports
- Hoodlums attack Sigma leading to injuries and arrests
They consider “freezing” primary residence distress sales
- They ignored a ruling over “golden” passports
- All-night thriller over sanctions on Turkey
- Priests raised the battle flag… Police responds that measures apply to all
Anger at ‘unfair’ new restrictions
Mall shops and food and drink businesses say doomed to close.
Christmas of wrath
Due to ban on presence of faithful during services. Morphou Bishop preaches defiance and calls faithful not to obey protocols, with archbishop threatening expulsion from Holy Synod. Church asks for faithful to be allowed to go to services on Christmas so that they can take communion. Another two dead yesterday and 403 new cases.
- Tough battle in summit over sanctions on Turkey: Thriller to the end in Brussels – Disagreements over draft conclusions and ideas for a new Summit in February
- Can’t be hidden…: Odysseas’ obsessions and passions against Hasikos
Main News
European Council discussions on Turkey continue past midnight
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
EU Matters, Regional International/ Relations, External Security, Energy, Territory, Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
The discussion regarding the Eastern Mediterranean during Thursday’s European Council (EUCO) had not concluded by the time the dailies went to print.
The coverage focuses on the fact that member states were divided over the wording of the conclusions on Turkey, while mostly agreeing on a draft that provides for the addition of names on the list of persons and companies sanctioned over illegal drillings in the Cypriot EEZ.
The draft circulated by the media also condemns Turkey’s provocative actions regarding Varosha and notes that unauthorised actions in the Cypriot EEZ are continuing. The draft notes that Turkey withdrew the ‘Oruc Reis’ from waters contested with Greece, but that a sustained de-escalation is still necessary.
Politis reports that more than three drafts were brought to the leaders, and that disagreements focused on the severity of the wording as well as to the question on when the leaders would return to the issue. According to the initial drafts, the approach was to revisit the situation, as well as specific suggestions by the High Representative on External Relations Josep Borrell and the Commission on possible measures, during the March EUCO. However, Greece insisted on the possibility of an extraordinary EUCO, potentially to be held in February.
Politis reports that the discussion on the issue began with statements by Greece, France, Denmark and Austria, and that Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades spoke twice to underline the country’s positions.
Phileleftheros reports that Poland was particularly negative to strict measures against Turkey, echoing NATO’s concerns that further destabilisation of the alliance should be avoided.
According to the reports, Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis insisted that the EU cannot be stuck in “ifs and buts” while the US was preparing to impose sanctions on Turkey regarding its purchase of the S-400 missiles.
The dailies also report that Thursday’s EUCO also focused on the Covid-19 crisis and that an agreement was reached with Poland and Hungary regarding the rule of law mechanism connected to the EU’s Recovery Fund, leading to the approval of the package including the fund and the Multi-annual Financial Framework. The leaders were also due to have a difficult discussion on the need for more ambitious climate change goals.
Morphou Bishop calls for disobedience on coronavirus measures
Alithia, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Internal Security, Human Rights
OVERVIEW
Morphou Bishop Neophytos has called on the faithful to attend church services in his district and to not follow the government’s measures which rule that services cannot be conducted in the presence of a congregation, the dailies report.
Politis reports that the Bishop stated he will be taking responsibility for keeping temples in the Morphou diocese open, and called on priests to allow people to attend services.
Politis notes that the Police has not interpreted the Bishop’s stance as breaking the law, and points out that this behaviour is different than the one reserved for other citizens.
Other Bishops, such as Bishop Georgios of Paphos, have also expressed disagreements over the measures, but have not called for disobedience to the law. Instead they have asked for the government to reconsider some of the measures and allow the attendance of the public during the Christmas Day service.
The dailies report that Archbishop Chrysostomos called for a Holy Synod meeting on the issue which will take place next Tuesday. The Archbishop said that the Church would ask for an exception for Christmas Day, but underlined that the Church will continue to follow the government’s measures and scientific guidelines.
Phileleftheros and Politis also report on a protest carried out by people supporting conspiracy theories and opposing covid-related measures. According to the reports, tens of people protested outside the Filoxenia Conference Centre (where the House of Representatives temporarily holds its meetings) and then headed towards the offices of Sigma TV. There the protesters clashed with police officers, throwing rocks, and the Police responded with smoke canisters and water pumps.
Meanwhile, the dailies report, coronavirus cases remain at dangerous levels. The Health Ministry announced that two people (a woman and a man in their 80s with underlying conditions) died and 403 new coronavirus cases were detected on Thursday. Another 236 cases were detected through rapid tests and will have to be tested for confirmation over the coming days. Thursday’s results include 152 cases initially detected by rapid tests in the last few days which were confirmed.
A total of 106 patients are being hospitalised for coronavirus, and 20 of them are in a serious condition. The total number of cases since the beginning of the pandemic has reached 14,052 and the total number of deaths in the government-controlled areas has reached 72.
Auditor General: Former minister involved in golden passports
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Migration & Citizenship, Internal Security, Economy
OVERVIEW
Auditor General Odysseas Michaelides has suggested that former Minister of the Interior Socrates Hasikos was personally involved in the scandal surrounding the “golden passport” scheme, as a company he controlled participated in a construction project undertaken by a company whose executives were issued passports, Cyprus Mail reports.
Later in the day, Hasikos responded by accusing Michaelides of seeking a scandal where no scandal exists, and called his investigation superficial and obsessive. He said that the company mentioned by Michaelides in connection to himself was Wargaming, and that Michaelides had not checked whether their applications were in compliance with then-current criteria. Hasikos also said that the accusations had been invalidated after they were investigated.
The accusations were made during a meeting of the parliament’s watchdog committee on Thursday. Michaelides presented the findings of a probe into two cases (one of which concerns Cyprus’s first casino resort), where he said his office found that citizenships were granted to individuals who declared empty plots, parking lots and unfinished houses as their investments.
Michaelides also had a disagreement with Interior Minister Nicos Nouris over whether the handing over of citizenships to persons involved in the investments were illegal. According to the adutor general, 7 of the 18 citizenships granted in connection with these projects did not meet the criteria.