Yesterday’s ““no” from Parliament to the government’s request to extend Marilena Raouna’s term as Deputy Minister of European Affairs led to a head-on clash between the President and Pindaros.

The President of the Republic set the tone for the conflict yesterday.

“I expected such behavior from AKEL; their anti-European sentiments are well known. But I did not expect it from the Democratic Alarm.”

SEE ALSO: Storm of Reactions Over Raouna’s Appointment: Online Clash Between Letympiotis and Koulla Over “Cronyism” and “Disrespect”

The Government Spokesperson added fuel to the fire, launching an attack against the Democratic Alarm.

“The leadership of DISY, unfortunately, has chosen to stand in opposition to its very European origins. In the name of some people’s eagerness to prove that they are the opposition, critical strategic objectives of the Republic of Cyprus are being sacrificed.”

Konstantinos Letympiotis even challenged the justification given by the parties that voted against it—that they did not have enough time to study it—emphasizing that the only change was to the date ofof Ms. Raouna’s term from July 31 to December 31.

The response from the President of the Democratic Alarm Party was immediate; who clarified that the reason for voting against the motion was the urgency of the request, while she leveled criticism at the government for misleading public opinion and targeting DISY.

READ ALSO: New attacks by Koulla against Letympiotis: “What part of what I said isn’t true? Weren’t relatives and friends appointed?”

“I truly regret that the President of the Republic is trying—or at least attempting—to turn his own failure or sloppiness into a political attack against the Democratic Rally.”

She even accused the government of chronic delays and sloppiness in the bills it submits to Parliament.

READ ALSO: “The Parliament Cannot Be Blackmailed”: Annita Cites Sloppiness and Responds with Criticism of Raouna’s Tenure

Nikos Tornaritis took a different stance from the leadership of the Democratic Alarm.

“A wrong decision. The House of Representatives must reconsider its stance immediately.”

The Secretary-General of AKEL offered his own response to the President of the Republic, emphasizing that disagreeing with the government does not mean one is anti-European.

SEE ALSO: Dispute Over Raouna: Fierce Clash Between Government and Opposition Over Extension of Deputy Minister’s Term

The future for Raouna

Given the way things have turned out, Marilena Raouna’s term will end at the end of July, since Anita Dimitriou herself ruled out the possibility that the government’s request would be put to a vote again during Tuesday’s extraordinary plenarysession on Tuesday—which will also be the last before Parliament adjourns.

SEE ALSO: “Sacrifice of strategic objectives”: Letympiotis takes aim at DISY over the “blockade” in Raouna

He made it clear that the proper procedure must be followed and that the request for debate must first be submitted to the relevant parliamentary committee. Consequently, when Parliament reconvenes in September, the Deputy Ministry of European Affairs will no longer exist as an institution, and there will be no matter to consider.

The case of Marilena Raouna is just a small taste of what lies ahead and the political power games that will follow. Certainly, however, the government cannot count on a guaranteed “yes” vote from DISY, even on issues where the two parties are supposed to share the same positions.

READ ALSO: “I expected this kind of behavior from AKEL, but not from DISY”: President’s disappointment after Parliament’s “no” on Raouna

See Eleni Michael’s report: