**POLIS CHRYSOCHOUS, CYPRUS** – Grave accusations of nepotism and procedural impropriety have engulfed the Polis Chrysochous Municipality Council, precipitating a formal complaint lodged with the Interior Ministry and the Auditor-General by Deputy Mayor Dervis Charalambous of Kritou Terra. The allegations centre on recent decisions concerning the permanent appointment of seasonal municipal workers, with Mr. Charalambous asserting that the processes employed constitute "criminal offences" and egregious breaches of administrative rectitude and moral order.
The dispute, which has fostered intense disagreement within council sessions, reportedly revolves around the permanent absorption of temporary, seasonal employees into the municipal workforce. At the heart of the controversy are claims that several deputy mayors, whose relatives were beneficiaries of these appointments, allegedly participated in the voting that sanctioned their permanent employment. This alleged conflict of interest, critics contend, fundamentally undermines the integrity of the recruitment process and raises serious questions about fairness and transparency.
A pivotal moment in the escalating situation appears to have been a municipal council meeting on February 26th, where a contentious vote determined the fate of seasonal workers. Reports indicate the council was evenly divided, with eight deputy mayors advocating for a public advertisement of new positions and an equal number favouring the retention of existing seasonal staff. Ultimately, Mayor Yiotis Papachristofi’s casting vote tipped the scales in favour of retaining current employees.
Further compounding the allegations are claims that the contracts of several seasonal workers were unlawfully extended beyond the nine-month statutory limit. This alleged circumvention of regulations is said to have enabled these individuals to meet the twelve-month service requirement, thereby qualifying them for permanent positions. Subsequently, during a council session on Monday, the consolidation of hourly-paid workers was reportedly ratified, with the controversial participation of relatives in the voting process. This was followed by what is described as a second unlawful vote on Tuesday, where the permanent appointment of 17 seasonal workers was approved, despite the alleged presence and participation of four deputy mayors whose children were among those being considered.
Mr. Charalambous has unequivocally stated his refusal to be "an accomplice in these illegalities," signalling his intention to boycott further municipal council meetings until the legitimacy of the procedures is unequivocally restored. He has formally communicated his concerns, urging state authorities to scrutinize the municipality's administrative practices. While Mayor Papachristofi has acknowledged Mr. Charalambous's prerogative to raise issues for review, the gravity of the accusations suggests that a thorough investigation by the Interior Ministry and the Auditor-General is now highly probable.
The ramifications of these allegations extend beyond the immediate administrative fallout. Should the claims be substantiated, they could lead to legal challenges concerning the validity of the recruitment decisions and potentially erode public confidence in the governance of the Polis Chrysochous Municipality. The situation underscores the critical importance of upholding stringent ethical standards and transparent procedures in public administration, particularly when matters of employment and public funds are at stake. Trade unions SEK and PEO have also reportedly been engaged, indicating the broader implications for labour relations within the municipality. The coming weeks are expected to be critical as state authorities assess the presented evidence and determine the appropriate course of action.