In a democracy, such as the Republic of Cyprus, the Constitution is not a supernatural umbrella raised above the citizens, detached from their needs and the public interest. It is exactly the opposite: the Constitution exists for the citizens and for the protection of the public interest. Its role as the “supreme rule of law” does not mean that it stands opposed to or above society, but that it binds the state authority of the day by setting limits on how that authority may be exercised.
Why do we say this? We say it in relation to the recent reshuffle carried out by the President of the Republic, which, according to those around him, was his absolute constitutional right. We write this because we have the impression that the citizens of this country are tired of such meaningless statements, which in reality reinforce the impression that the Constitution allows politicians to make whatever decision comes to mind without accountability.
The Constitution does not say that the President may, without judgement or reflection, appoint whomever he wishes to the Council of Ministers. Ministers and other public officials are appointed to serve the citizens and not to serve the political interests of the President of the day.
If the Constitution were above the citizens, it would lose its fundamental purpose. The constitutional order recognises that its authority comes from the people and that all its rights, freedoms, and institutions serve society, not the other way round. Even the invocation of the “public interest” is subject to the rules and guarantees of the Constitution, so that it does not become a tool of arbitrariness.
The Constitution, therefore, is not above the citizens. It is for the citizens. And it is not contrary to the public interest but forms the framework that defines what the public interest is and how it can be served without sacrificing fundamental rights. At a time when the term “public interest” is often used without limits, this reminder is not a theoretical detail but a central pillar of democratic functioning.
In conclusion, we ask: Was the recent reshuffle and the appointment of ministers carried out with the public interest in mind, or with the personal interest of the President of the Republic?