Former Finance Minister Refutes Banker Label in Spirited Response
In a recent turn of events, former Minister of Finance Kikis Kazamias has issued a statement clarifying his professional identity in the wake of comments made by President Nikos Christodoulides. Amidst the political discourse surrounding the appointment of the new governor of the Central Bank of Cyprus, Kazamias emphasized, “Never have I claimed or declared that I am a banker but an
The controversy stems from the President’s defense against criticism from the political party AKEL. Christodoulides had pointed out that during AKEL’s time in power, there were three Finance Ministers with banking backgrounds. In a pointed rebuttal to this assertion, Kazamias responded, stating his tenure as general manager of the Co-operative Savings Bank of Limassol was marked by pride in its societal contributions, rather than any personal claim to being a banker.
Kazamias further highlighted the irony in the President’s remarks, noting that the same government Christodoulides served played a role in the bank’s acquisition, which according to Kazamias, stripped Limassol of a significant social institution. This statement from the former Finance Minister not only challenges the narrative of his own background but also touches upon broader concerns regarding the banking sector’s impact on local communities.
The exchange between these political figures underscores the ongoing debate about the qualifications and backgrounds of those appointed to key financial positions, and how these appointments are perceived by different stakeholders within Cypriot society. Kazamias’s insistence on being recognized as an
