Cypriot political parties respond to new government cost-of-living measures

President Nikos Christodoulides has announced a series of measures intended to mitigate the economic impacts of the ongoing war on the Cypriot population. The AKEL party, represented by Haris Polykarpou, characterized the measures as necessary and overdue. Specifically, the government plans to reduce fuel and electricity taxes while withdrawing proposed green taxes. While acknowledging these steps, AKEL stated that the government's approach lacks a comprehensive design compared to other European nations. The opposition party argued that the plan fails to address rising household and business debt costs or provide sufficient support for vulnerable population groups. Furthermore, the party highlighted a lack of price controls for energy and fuels. Finally, AKEL criticized the government for not presenting a contingency plan in the event that the war continues for an extended period.