Communists Gain Edge in Cyprus Elections
AKEL, the Progressive Party of Working People, inched ahead of the ruling Democratic Rally party in parliamentary elections held in Cyprus at the end of May. AKEL led by 34.71 percent, compared to the 34.1 percent garnered by Democratic Rally, the party of President Glafco Clerides. The results most likely reflect disgruntlement with the goverment for failing to regulate the stock market, which collapsed in 1999 after a euphoric "bubble."
The parliamentary victory does not mean that the government will change hands. Instead, the Democratic Rally government will continue to hold power until Clerides' term comes to an end in 2003. However, the victory does mean that AKEL leader Demetris Christofias could mount a formidable bid for the presidency during the 2003 elections. And if support for AKEL continues to boom, IMF-inspired reforms such as privatization of utilities could be slowed down.
Christofias has helped transform AKEL -- once a fiery Cold War era party of revolution -- into something resembling mainstream left-of-center parties such as Greece's PASOK or Britain's Labor. Traditionally opposed to the European Union, which it viewed as a capitalist club, AKEL now supports accession. But the party continues to oppose structural changes such as shrinking the private sector and reducing state ownership of utilities. Cypriot politicians have traditionally had to steer a careful course, balancing market-oriented reform with concessions such as increased welfare spending.
Climate, Lack of Coordination Hamper Fire Efforts
Attica is in danger of turning into a desert, thanks to the destructive fires that claim hundreds of thousands of acres every year. A report in the Greek daily Eleutherotypia said that as much as one-sixth of Attica's landscape has become desertified, with temperatures in the deforested areas reaching 130 degrees F. Last year's fire season was the worst on record, but a mix of environmental, political and economic contributing factors could lead to equally ruinous situation this summer. On June 4th, a fire that broke out near the town of Oropos consumed 5,000 acres in six hours, displacing hundreds of residents and vacationers and destroying as many as 50 homes.
Sparse rainfall, Saharan temperatures, and strong summer gales are among the climate conditions that trigger destructive fires. In a vicious cycle, temperatures surrounding the bare patches of land exposed by the fires climb to record levels, and these locally high temperatures produce air masses which contribute to heat waves all over Attica.
In the wake of last year's devastation, the World Wildlife Federation issued what it described as a "wake up call," warning that Greece faced ecological catastrophe unless the government provides more funds for firefighting and addresses the confusion and lack of planning that hamper existing programs.
Underbrush, Garbage Probable Factors
Underbrush is widely cited as a cause of summer fires, but many residents don't bother to clear their property, municipalities say they have no money or authority, and the government has been slow to hire seasonal workers. A number of burning landfills and garbage dumps have not been extinguished, and some localities have failed to ban garbage from being incinerated during the high-risk summer season. The fire brigade and forest service have feuded over who has responsibility for firefighting, and the Interior Ministry hands down directives but lacks the means to enforce them.
Arson is also widely suspected as a factor; rumors abound every year of unscrupulous entrepreneurs setting fires to clear the way for development. With the new airport at Spata operational, and construction underway for the Athens 2004 Olympic games, property values in eastern Attica are climbing.
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