Public dispute over Great Sea Interconnector progress and liability

A public conflict has emerged between Nikolas Papadopoulos, president of DIKO, and Odysseas Michaelides, head of the Movement Alma, regarding the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI). The dispute follows an announcement by Nexans, the project subcontractor, confirming the successful completion of sea trials for 525 kV HVDC cables at depths of up to 3,000 meters west of Sicily. Nexans stated that these trials addressed concerns regarding the project's technical viability. Odysseas Michaelides argued that these developments provide the project promoter, ADMIE, with legal leverage to pursue compensation claims worth hundreds of millions of euros against the Republic of Cyprus. He criticized the government of President Nikos Christodoulides for its decision in September 2024 to participate in the project, describing the administration as indecisive. In response, Nikolas Papadopoulos criticized Michaelides, alleging that his rhetoric is disparaging toward Greece and its government. The controversy centers on whether the project poses a significant financial risk to the Cypriot state and whether the government is sufficiently protecting national interests.