Q: How can I meet The Coalition?
A: In pre-Covid times, we held regular popular, well-attended monthly meetings, open to the public and also held a monthly "surgery" where people could meet with Councillor Linda and/or members of the Coalition Team to discuss issues more privately. We have also held occasional live Zoom meetings. For further information, email us at info@pegeiacoalition.org
Q: What about the Greek language?
A: Ideally, an elected candidate should be bilingual, but as many of us know, a high level of fluency in another language is quite difficult to achieve. Also, in Cyprus, especially in the Paphos area, there are quite distinct regional dialects which make the language issue even more complicated. The Pegeia Coalition of Independents feels that it is reasonable and democratic that a local council broadly reflect the community structure. In other EU countries non-nationals have been elected to local councils, so this is not an exceptional circumstance. With good will on all sides, we feel that difficulties around communication can be resolved without discriminating on the basis of language alone.
Q: Are foreigners trying to take over?
A: Definitely not! These are times of transition, with many changes taking place; times that need innovative approaches to solve problems. The Coalition feels that the influx of new residents has much to offer that will benefit the entire community. They also feel that the unique Pegeia situation in particular could be a model of cooperation for everyone - all of us working together to achieve a better quality of life, in a balanced, civil and democratic way.
Q: Why do we need representation on the Council?
A: We started out thinking that it would be enough to have a community group that could establish an unofficial, friendly relationship with the Mayor. We soon learned that this was not enough. To be taken seriously and to have results, we needed to get involved politically by running our own independent candidates. Please don't forget that if everything were running well and there were no problems, we wouldn't really need to be politically active! The last thing we want is to make Pegeia a "little England". For one thing, we love Cyprus. For another, our supporters are from many countries, not just Britain.
Q: Why do we need your help?
A: If we are to build on the Coalition’s first successful years on the Council, we need more ex-pat residents to vote in ocal elections and to take a keen interest in our community’s political affairs. Registering to vote now means that one will be ready to vote for Councillors and the Mayor in the next election (now scheduled to coincide with next European Parliament elections in May 2024). As our numbers increase on the special electoral list for EU citizens, traditional political parties are watching closely. They know very well that our voice makes a big difference on the political scene. Don’t be complacent about waiting - there could be a snap by-election for Mayor at any time (as happened in Pegeia in 2005, when EU voters were denied their right to vote). See our special section on Voting for details on how to register to vote.
Q: Can my vote make a difference?
A: EU citizens residing in Cyprus have an opportunity to make a real difference by voting in our local elections. In Cyprus, every vote counts due to the small population and local voting patterns (i.e., by family Party affiliations). The many new EU voters are the equivalent of a “family” who have the potential to shift our town to a more representative and transparent local authority. The Coalition has worked hard to bring about a change of attitude in the Municipality from one of traditional secrecy and paternalism to one of good transparent governance. Our councillor is however a lone progressive voice amongst the traditional power elite. Voter apathy is the enemy of democracy. It is not helpful only to complain that local problems are not being solved, especially when the means of bringing about desirable change are available and require only a little effort on our part.
Q: Why should I register to Vote?
A: The actions of the Municipal Council are crucial for our local services, environment, quality of life and taxes. Residents are urged to take a keen interest in its decisions and actions, taken on our behalf, both Cypriot and non-Cypriot. We also have a right to full information regarding local problems, proposals, decisions and actions. Voting is a precious democratic right which should not be lightly discarded. Remember the slogan of the American colonists: “No taxation without representation.”
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