The approval of the state budget, sharp exchanges among MPs and political parties during the plenary debate, coordinated mobilisations by teachers and farmers on Thursday, and the information President Nikos Christodoulides is expected to present to the European Council regarding Turkey feature prominently on the front pages of the Cypriot press today.
Under the headline “State Payroll to Reach €5bn by 2028”, Alithia publishes figures cited by MP Averof Neophytou during the budget debate. He warned that the growth rate of the state payroll will be more than double the pace of economic growth. In a separate report, the paper refers to “leaks” and “self-sabotage” undermining efforts to restart talks on the Cyprus problem. Elsewhere, it covers the mobilisations by farmers, primary school teachers and secondary school educators taking place on Thursday.
Politis leads with the headline “Schools Closed, Tractors on the Streets”, pointing to the double disruption caused by the demands of educators and farmers. In another story, the paper reports on the “trial” of Greek Cypriots in Trikomo, noting that the man was released while his wife admitted guilt. Elsewhere, it reports that the Anti-Corruption Authority is set to forward a third report to the Attorney General.
With the headline “Evidence Against Turkey at the Council”, Phileleftheros reports that President Christodoulides will present EU leaders with a list of violations of sanctions against Russia allegedly committed by Turkey. In another article, the paper covers the passage of the state budget, noting that parties cut just €10.2m from a total of €13.7bn. Among the approved allocations is €54m for the electricity interconnection project. Elsewhere, it highlights a shortage of nurses, warning that hospital beds will be closed and waiting lists expanded.
Leading with “DISY–DIKO–ELAM United Over Grivas Funds”, Haravgi reports that AKEL condemned what it described as an attempt to distort history and glorify betrayal. In another piece, accompanied by a photograph from yesterday’s plenary budget session, the paper notes that, following an AKEL initiative, privatisations were halted, while measures to support students and young workers did not pass. Elsewhere, it reports on the two-hour work stoppage by primary and secondary education teachers.
The English-language Cyprus Mail, under the headline “Budget Battle Ends With MPs’ Approval”, reports that the budget was passed with 37 votes and conveys the satisfaction expressed by the Minister of Finance. In other coverage, it reports that a Greek Cypriot was released in the Trikomo “trial”, and that the Interior Minister has expressed support for the EU’s proposal on affordable housing.
The rejection by a French court of Cyprus’ request for the extradition of Bahdat Jaffari over the alleged usurpation of Greek Cypriot properties in the occupied areas, the reaction of the Turkish Cypriot leader to President Christodoulides’ invitation to the Turkish President for a meeting, and delays in the delivery of foot-and-mouth disease vaccines from Turkey dominate the Turkish Cypriot press.
Avrupa runs the headline “France Did Not Hand Him Over”, reporting that French authorities rejected the Republic of Cyprus’ extradition request for Iranian-born businessman Bahdat Jaffari, who holds “citizenship” of the breakaway entity, in connection with alleged property usurpation. The paper notes that Jaffari returned to the occupied areas and that the decision caused dissatisfaction in the Republic of Cyprus. It also reports on the response of Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman to President Christodoulides’ invitation to President Erdoğan, in which Erhürman said he himself is the interlocutor, not Erdoğan. Reference is also made to the extension of the “detention order” for a further five days for “deputy prime minister” Hüseyin Cahitoğlu, who faces charges including bribery and illegal possession of firearms.
Halkın Sesi leads with “I Am the Interlocutor”, publishing Erhürman’s statements in response to the invitation extended by President Christodoulides to the Turkish President. Erhürman said that there is “one equal people” on the island and that the interlocutor of the Greek Cypriot side is the Turkish Cypriot side. The paper also reports on a “court” decision imposing a nine-year “prison sentence” on a man found guilty of sexually exploiting a nine-year-old girl, and notes the shock caused in the Republic of Cyprus by the French court’s refusal to extradite Jaffari.
Kıbrıs runs the headline “A Slap of Justice to Greek Cypriots From Their French Friends”, referring to the French judiciary’s refusal to hand over Bahdat Jaffari, who was released and returned to the occupied areas. The paper claims that what it describes as a witch hunt launched by the Republic of Cyprus was blocked by French justice. It also publishes statistics from the “traffic department” indicating that a large percentage of vehicles in the occupied areas circulate without insurance.
Yeni Düzen, under the headline “Foot-and-Mouth Disease Spreads, Vaccines Nowhere to Be Seen!”, reports that a group of journalists visited the occupied village of Lapithos to assess whether measures to curb the spread of the disease are being implemented. It publishes statements from livestock farmers who complained that vaccines have still not arrived despite assurances from the “minister of agriculture”. The paper also reports that initial samples sent to a laboratory in Turkey confirmed the presence of foot-and-mouth disease, identifying it as the SAT 1 serotype.