Calls for the resignation of Cypriot Minister of Agriculture Maria Panayiotou

Political figures in Cyprus, including DISY president Annita Demetriou, have repeatedly called for the resignation or dismissal of the Minister of Agriculture, Maria Panayiotou. These demands stem from the government's handling of three major crises over the past year: the wildfires in the Limassol mountains last July that resulted in two fatalities, water management issues leading to a 10% reduction in potable water supply, and an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. Critics argue that the minister showed incompetence and failed to prepare effectively despite prior warnings. Specifically, regarding the foot-and-mouth disease, critics point to a lack of urgency since the virus first appeared in the occupied territories last October. Supporters of the government emphasize that the focus should remain on seeking solutions for affected farmers rather than engaging in political score-settling. Debate also surrounds the policy of mass culling of livestock to contain the disease versus alternative measures, with some experts warning of disproportionate economic consequences.