Former Akel MP Irene Charalambides joins Alma

Former Akel MP Irene Charalambides officially announced her collaboration with Alma movement, the party of former auditor-general Odysseas Michaelides, ahead of the May 24 parliamentary elections, waving the banner of the fight against corruption, which she described as an additional tax the people pay so that the corrupt can relish the spoils.

Speaking at a press conference, Charalambides said she had cooperated with Michaelides for a long time regarding accountability in combatting corruption.

“Alma is an acronym for dignity, accountability, reform and development. These four words are not a slogan. They are preconditions for our country to stand tall once again,” Charalambides said.

She added that her collaboration with Michaelides was based on the conviction that today more than ever it was necessary to join forces.

“Our common aim is crystal clear: to combat corruption and restore faith in the institutions. But for this to happen, decisive reforms are necessary, the king of reforms that restrict the authority of the executive power, as it is implemented today,” Charalambides said.

Charalambides clarified that she was referring to the appointments of state officers, particularly that of the attorney-general.

Referring to their priorities, Charalambides outlined combatting corruption, constitutional and other reforms, separating authorities, strengthening justice, equality, dignity of the people and restoring the sense of justice.

“It is unthinkable that in a modern society there are officers who are not accountable and have absolute and unchecked powers, resulting in the functioning of the state depending on the moral or political relationship, or even the collusion, between government or political party factors or the result of political exchanges,” she pointed out.

“Let us not forget that corruption is not just a blow to the people’s dignity and equality. It has a cost. A cost of billions that the people pay, everyday people, and those who stand to gain are the corrupt. Corruption is an additional tax the corrupt impose on the people,” she said.

Closing her remarks, Charalambides said she was “not a person of promises, but of action”.