Any leader with “clean hands” should remain calm, President says asked about video

Invited to say whether he expects more in relation to hybrid warfare, the President of the Republic referred to those who handle these matters
Any leader who has “clean hands” should remain calm, President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides, said Monday, answering questions from journalists in Limassol, regarding a video that surfaced last week with allegations for illegal financing of the President’s presidential campaign in 2023 and for controversial investments on the island.
Invited to comment on the resignation of Director of his Office, Charalambos Charalambous, and if his resignation was the result of pressure, the President of the Republic replied “no, absolutely not. Mr. Charalambous’s act is neither an act of pressure nor an act of guilt. It is an act of self-confidence and trust.”
In relation to the Independent Social Support Agency, from which his wife announced on Sunday she would step down, he said that his first thought is the complete abolition of the Agency, adding that the government is working on solutions so that the thousands of students who are in need and who have benefited from the Agency will continue to get help.
When asked if he would proceed with the publication of the list of donors to the Agency, President Christodoulides said that “there is absolutely no problem with the publication based on the relevant legislation. I am ready, cards on the table, and above all, clean hands”.
He stressed that he does not underestimate nor downplay the matter and called on the competent state authorities to use all tools at their disposal to fully investigate the case. The President added that there is assistance from foreign states and the EU.
In such moments of crisis, the President of the Republic added, “because it is certainly a moment of crisis and I am not trying to present things differently, any leader whose hands are clean, should stay calm.”
Asked who has warned the Government about hybrid warfare, he stated that “we were informed about this issue by the European Union on the occasion of assuming the Presidency of the Council of the EU, but it is an issue that is handled by the competent services of the Republic and the executive does not intervene in the investigations that are underway.”
Invited to say whether he expects more in relation to hybrid warfare, the President of the Republic referred to those who handle these matters.
Asked if this matter has hurt the Government’s image and the citizens’ trust in it, President Christodoulides said that “some people may be aiming in this direction. I do not want to refer to the messages I receive from people from all parties. I repeat, I am here, I am publicly stating my position, I have nothing to fear.”
Earlier today, Director of the President’s office, Charalambos Charalambous announced on his social media accounts that he is proud for what has been achieved over the last three years, as a result of the “hard, intensive and systematic work of the President and the Government”. He said that “I will not allow my presence in the Government to be turned into a tool of exploitation with the aim of harming the Republic of Cyprus or the President of the Republic. For this reason, I have submitted my resignation from the position of Director of the Office of the President of the Republic.”
On Sunday, First Lady Philippa Karsera Christodoulides announced her decision to step down as president of the management committee of the Independent Social Support Agency, a position she held ex officio, “not because I do not want to continue helping children- that was my only motivation from the outset- but because I will not allow anyone to continue to defame my ethics and integrity, my husband’s and my family’s, using as a pretext the operation of the Independent Social Support Agency from which no member of the Management Committee has the slightest personal gain”.
She explained that the Independent Social Support Agency is a special state fund with an account at the Central Bank, and has been operating since 2015 by law. The grants are made by deposit through a bank, there is no cash, there is no way to access the account, or abuse it, she said.
CNA/SK/AAR/EPH/2026
ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY