It is now clear that a component part of the government’s philosophy is the policy of “quick and easy money”, ignoring the fact that Cyprus’ name is being denigrated throughout the world. It is for this reason that instead of taking effective action to restore Cyprus’ name, all the government ruling forces are doing is to hide the truth and engage in communication tricks to get away from the substance.

The government ruling force’s statement that they will supposedly carry out an investigation constitutes an act that shifts and ends the discussion on the “golden” passport scheme which they had set up. What kind of investigation will be conducted, who will do it and who will it investigate, nobody knows. It’s an investigation resembling a show. But the facts are there for all to see and the numbers prove what is going on during this government’s term of office: during the five year Anastasiades government – and with the change in the criteria it made just two months after taking office in 2013 – over 2,000 citizenships were granted to investors and likewise to the members of their families too.

This means 15 times more citizenships were granted than the entire previous period of implementing the programme for granting passports to investors. This alone proves the magnitude of the “quick and easy money” policy and plundering the government ruling forces engaged in through this passport scheme.

Statement by AKEL C.C. Spokesperson Stefanos Stefanou on the government’s “golden passports” scheme The “quick and easy money” policy is a component part of the government’s philosophy AKEL C.C. Press Office, 25th October 2019, Nicosia

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