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ALMA Movement Criticizes First Lady's Resignation as 'Insufficient' – Calls for Director's Removal

Published January 11, 2026, 17:10
ALMA Movement Criticizes First Lady's Resignation as 'Insufficient' – Calls for Director's Removal

The ALMA Movement – Citizens for Cyprus has characterized the resignation of the First Lady, Philippa Karskeras, from the Independent Social Support Agency as a “necessary, obvious, but absolutely insufficient step.” ALMA points out that it took three days for the resignation to be accepted and that the Director of the President’s Office, Charalambos Charalambous, who is featured in the controversial video, remains in his position. The Movement accuses the government of refusing to disclose the names of donors to the Agency and to abolish it definitively. It believes that the government is trying to portray itself as a “victim of attack” and turn the scandal into a matter of political targeting, while in reality, the Christodoulides family has turned the Presidential Palace into a “family business.” ALMA specifically mentions the relationships of Mr. Giorgos Lakkotrypis with investors and his connection to critical projects, such as those of natural gas in Vasilikos and the Cyprus-Crete electricity interconnection. In addition, it reports professional relationships of Charalambous’ brother with a company involved in attempts to directly award a project in Vasilikos, which were deemed illegal. The Movement also expresses concerns about the President’s relationship with Mr. Giorgos Chrysos, head of Cyfield, and states that the Audit Office has recorded serious omissions and attempts to legitimize illegal constructions at the Mari power plant (Cyfield).