By Stelios Parparinos

Let’s be honest about the current situation. An underlying anxiety permeates Cypriot society. It’s not just whispers: it’s a growing feeling, a daily struggle with wallets that empty much faster, an ever-rising cost of living, and a hazy uncertainty shrouds tomorrow.

Simultaneously, while many struggle to make ends meet, on an almost daily basis, we read news of scandals and hear rumours of decisions favouring the select few, accompanied by a sense of impunity at the top. This combination – financial pressure for the many and perceived indifference or even enrichment for the few – is not merely unpleasant. Historically, it’s a recipe for unrest.

Why is this situation so flammable? Think of it as an unwritten agreement between citizens and the state: citizens work, pay taxes and obey laws. In return, they expect fair governance, security, and, yes, a reasonable opportunity to live with dignity. But when they perceive that rules apply differently from person to person, that the rule of law is not upheld and wealth is concentrated in opaque ways – whether through multiple state pensions, shady deals, or unpunished scandals – this unwritten agreement appears to be broken.

This sense of injustice cannot simply be brushed aside. It simmers and festers, breeding cynicism and passivity. Trust in politicians, institutions, and even the democratic process itself begins to wane. It’s akin to a house’s foundation slowly eroding. When the government loses moral standing in the public’s eyes, and the opposition seems unable or unwilling to offer a convincing alternative, the ground becomes fertile for anything promising radical change to take hold.

History is replete with such examples – from the Weimar Republic and the French Revolution to, more recently, Venezuela or Italy’s Tangentopoli (Bribesville). The central idea remains constant: economic desperation combined with a sense of impunity amongst ‘elites’, drives people to seek drastic solutions. This search often leads to an ‘overcorrection’, a turn towards political forces or leaders promising to dismantle the old, ‘corrupt’ system.

These populists, whether from the right or the left, are keenly aware of how to capitalise on popular anger. They speak plainly, name ‘enemies’ (often using general terms like ‘the elites’), and promise to return power to the people. Their appeal is understandable, especially when disappointment abounds. In Cyprus, we recently witnessed the success of independent candidacies in domestic and foreign elections. This success is a more measured, perhaps ‘introductory’, version of this societal drive for correction, signalling that dissatisfaction is finding outlets beyond traditional party channels.

The problem lies in what follows the initial upheaval. History, again, teaches that overcorrection rarely leads to ‘calm waters’[SP1]  and prosperity. The simplistic solutions promised by radicals rarely work as advertised. The deconstruction of institutions, even imperfect ones, without a functional alternative, can lead to greater instability, chaos, or, in the worst case, new forms of authoritarianism. The cure can prove worse than the disease. Often, those who rise to power as ‘anti-systemic’ figures end up creating their own networks of patronage and control. Corruption may simply change hands, perhaps becoming even harder to detect. The abuses and scandals of Syriza come to mind.[SP2] 

Abrupt political changes and uncertainty scare off investments and disrupt the economy. This can compound economic problems, ultimately hurting the very people who supported the change, hoping for something better, as the good people of Britain are finding out. The emphasis on a ‘strong leader’ who will impose order by bypassing institutional checks and balances (often perceived as part of the problem) undermines the rule of law and democratic process. The rhetoric used to gain power deepens social divisions, making national consensus and effective governance even more difficult for future generations.

Looking at Cyprus today, are there worrying signs? Is economic pressure mounting? Is cynicism towards politics deepening? Do we hear with increasing frequency that politicians ‘are all the same’ and that punishment for mistakes or illegal acts at the top is rare or selective? One need not be a prophet of doom to recognise that the situation demands attention. Indifference to the general public’s growing economic hardship, combined with the perception of an elite class operating by its own rules, creates a dangerous vacuum. History shows that this vacuum rarely stays empty for long.

The solution lies not merely in changing faces or parties if structural weaknesses and prevailing mentalities persist. What is needed is a deeper commitment to transparency, accountability, and, above all, the restoration of a sense of justice – both in the economy and in the functioning of institutions. Strengthening trust is not a luxury; it is a necessary prerequisite for a stable and prosperous society. Neglecting these foundations is inviting trouble, and history warns that such situations rarely end well. Preventing ‘overcorrection’ requires fixing what is wrong before the glass overflows.

Stelios Parparinos is an advocate at Parparinos law firm