Paradox: To Vote or Abstain in the European Election

In Cyprus, all the political parties are trying their utmost to convince the public that it’s their “civic duty” to vote. It maybe so, but there is a minor problem: a vast number of the electorate no longer trusts politicians or the European Union – but especially the Eurogroup – that now governs Cyprus under the terms of Troika’s Mnimonio Agreement signed by the Anastasiades government. Most of those who are about to vote on May 25th are in a limbo; they will choose to vote for a Komma (political party) and then a candidate from the same party. Where is the freedom of citizen’s right to decide for the best man or woman without Kommatokratia (politicocracy) dictating the election process? It is also expected that thousands of people will abstain. Under the present climate that’s not surprising! Voters do not abstain without a reason or because they are lazy or they don’t care; they abstain because they lost faith in a system that has betrayed them so bitterly. Abstention is a wake up call in opposition to bad politics. They demand radical changes to improve their lives and elections seem to fail them each time. Why should it be any different this time around? Just like dignity, votes have to be earned and not simply handed over like candy on a whimsical promise; politicians refuse to accept that! Inevitably, from the 61 running candidates, 6 persons will be selected and be sent to Brussels to join the other 766 EU Parliamentarians on the misguided notion that they are there to serve in the interest of Cyprus. That’s a fallacy and a misconception! Under EU structure there is no such option. In fact those elected in office will actually be working for a non-democratic institution controlled by faceless bureaucrats; the Council of Ministers; and a Commission that makes decisions behind closed doors and without transparency or accountability. It seems that EU candidates (some are even political party leaders) are prepared to abandon the democratic principles and join this group of inglorious politicians. That’s what the EU is all about: a supra-national corporation headed by international bankers, big industrial interests and the European Central Bank – a New World Order based on a “nepotistic system of appointments.” As it happens, EU Parliament exists merely as a façade to legitimize and “democratize” EU existence. It has no legal powers to make or pass laws and unless those rules are changed, it will always remain a lame parliament. Abstention from voting is also not a preferred option and citizens are in a dilemma; to vote means accepting the continuation of the same old system controlled by the same political parties people have come to detest. Actually, the electorate is trapped. They are required to vote for the status quo, abstain or alternatively cast a “white” protest vote in the ballot box. Stark choices indeed! Obviously, disenfranchised voters will choose to either abstain or select the latter. If the “white” protest votes do form a majority, it will certainly send a devastating blow to the EU. It will cause a political tsunami and trigger an issue of no confidence. That would be a radical political stand for Cyprus indeed – a silent democratic one – but a revolutionary one nevertheless! In all reality, the disenfranchised voters represent the largest one single (unofficial) political party in the country and if organized, it could represent the biggest voice of the people free from political dogmatism. Add the thousands of other legal citizens and foreign nationals living in Cyprus who are excluded from the voting process – for all sorts of reasons – and one recognizes how big the scale of failed democracy has become. In the last elections 23% of the electorate chose to abstain. The repeat of a similar outcome – if not much bigger – seriously concerns the government including all the other political parties. They are apprehensive of sending the wrong message; a message of public discontent against the EU. It’s not surprising that a massive campaign is launched urging the electorate to go out and vote. It seems however, that a political safety valve is in place; the present system does NOT allow “disgruntled” or “protest” votes to be part of the election process. Consequently, white or blank votes are simply ignored and discarded as rubble — even if they do form a majority! Where is the cherished notion of “majority rule” in that? In fact, when a democratic system marginalizes a large portion of the population because of its disapproval to bad politics and a bad system, then democracy becomes flawed. The founding principle of benevolent democracy is to evolve, serve and fulfill the needs of the people and not the demands of government or the political elite. Today it seems that a failed democracy is alive and well in the chambers of power who certainly want to keep it that way. Given all the facts, EU membership has not produced the promised results for the people of Cyprus and after ten years, today, they feel back-stubbed politically and economically by the European Union. In view of the ongoing public discontent, politicians should really be questioning whether Cyprus should remain a full member-state of the EU or gets out of this supra-national corporation. This is a serious issue that affects the lives of all citizens and yet no politician dares to bring it up for public debate. Irrespective of the final outcome of the present elections, a profound political maturity has developed within the spirit of the current election fever: it is the formation of a new grass-roots movement of Cypriots (Greek and Turkish nationals) campaigning together for a mutual cause. This is certainly a progressive move and if handled wisely this gesture of unity could open up the floodgates of trust between the two people again. Cypriots will then begin to make economic, political and social miracles never imagined before. This is a great opportunity to build upon and carries a most profound message; blow it and one kills all hopes for the future. Andreas C Chrysafis is the author of “Who Shall Govern Cyprus – Brussels or Nicosia?”

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