Political leaders urge government planning for economic impact of Middle East conflict

The escalation of the conflict in the Middle East has raised concerns among Cypriot political figures regarding the potential long-term economic impact on the country. Onoufrios Koulla of the DISY party emphasized the risks to the national economy, including rising oil prices and supply chain disruptions, while advocating for a promotional campaign to maintain Cyprus as a safe tourism destination. Koulla also criticized the AKEL party, describing their political approach as a threat to economic stability. Concurrently, AKEL General Secretary Stefanos Stefanou stated that the party has formally requested the government to conduct thorough impact studies and emergency planning. This call follows discussions at the National Council concerning security developments, including the recent drone crash near the British Akrotiri base. Stefanou argued that as the conflict intensifies and prolongs, the state must proactively address potential crises through specific scenarios. Both parties agree on the need for government responsiveness, despite their contrasting views on domestic political accountability.