Former Defence Minister Michalis Giorgallas spoke on the show “Protoselido” about the case of the missing explosives, highlighting serious security and discipline issues within the Cyprus National Guard.
Weaknesses in procedures and discipline
Giorgallas said: “These incidents in security forces, such as the National Guard, show certain symptoms. Two main issues stand out: the existing procedures are insufficient, and discipline is not at the level required to ensure attention and prevention. What exactly happened, I cannot know.”
He stressed that the problem concerns both adherence to procedures and firing ranges, which lack the necessary processes and safety infrastructure to prevent incidents or protect civilians involved in metal collection. Commenting on exposed explosives, he added: “TNT is a serious explosive. Something serious is happening.”
Call for modern infrastructure
The former minister emphasised the need for modern facilities. “There is a major need to create new infrastructure with modern safety conditions for personnel and, above all, for the public, to prevent such incidents,” Giorgallas said.
Political climate under scrutiny
The discussion then shifted to the broader political climate. Giorgallas argued that the current societal crisis is not solely due to elections: “I don’t think elections alone create this atmosphere. Scandals, a sense of mismanagement, corruption, entanglements, toxicity, confrontations… Above all, it marks the end of an era. The era of innocence is gone.”
Decline of institutions and political trust
He also noted the decline of political institutions: “Political parties have ceased to be pillars of policy-making and problem-solving. They have become offices for patronage and serving their own interests.”
On social reality, Giorgallas added: “Citizens now face a complex, multi-layered set of problems. This situation has created a lack of trust in institutions, politics, and those who manage our society.”
Public opinion in the digital era
Addressing how public opinion forms, Giorgallas drew historical comparisons and highlighted modern digital challenges: “Today, the way opinion is shaped, with people influencing developments through their statements, has disrupted the system.”
Hope for new political blood
He concluded on a hopeful note: “I like it because it brings new blood into politics, and perhaps newcomers may be better than the old. Those entering politics must understand that it is not a platform for self-promotion. Politics requires courage, knowledge, ability, and decisiveness because the decisions affect everyone’s lives.”
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