black donations — The Movement ‘ALMA’ has accused the President of the Republic of evading crucial questions regarding the black donations scandal, labelling his recent statements as an attempt to normalise corruption. In a scathing press release, the movement stated that the President’s comments fail to address serious allegations surrounding illicit financial practices.
ALMA highlighted that the President, Nikos Christodoulides, has publicly acknowledged the involvement of his brother-in-law, Charalambos Charalambous, and political ally Giorgos Lakkotrypis in procedures concerning the attraction and licensing of foreign investments. They argued that the President is misrepresenting this involvement as a legitimate practice under the guise of investment promotion and corporate social responsibility.
Black donations: Questioning Legitimacy of Practices
According to ALMA, the President’s framing of these issues reflects a troubling trend of institutionalising politically unacceptable practices. They emphasised that the Strategic Developments Law (2023) clearly stipulates that applications are to be submitted solely to the Head of the Strategic Developments Sector, with no role designated for the President’s relatives or friends. Furthermore, the Foreign Investment Control Law (2025) mandates that only the Ministry of Finance holds authority over foreign investments, excluding any involvement from the Presidential Palace.
In its statement, ALMA firmly rejected the notion that contributions to the First Lady’s Fund or other politically connected initiatives can be considered corporate social responsibility. Instead, they deem such practices as extortionate acts that undermine administrative legality and the rule of law.
Concerns Over Anonymous Donations
The movement also raised concerns about the anonymity of substantial donations to the First Lady’s Fund from individuals dealing with the state, following the President’s veto of a parliamentary decision aimed at shedding light on these transactions. ALMA posited that true corporate social responsibility should be independent and voluntary, free from any coercion related to government favour or decisions.
Revelations from Controversial Video
ALMA referenced a controversial video involving the President’s brother-in-law, which purportedly reveals the intertwining of investments with financial contributions. The excerpt from the video suggests that investors were encouraged to offer financial support for corporate social responsibility, raising questions about the nature of the offers and the work being discussed.
Calls for Accountability
In concluding their statement, ALMA asserted that the President’s defence is not just a political misstep but an affront to institutional integrity. They reiterated their demands for immediate investigations by the Anti-Corruption Authority and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, along with the resignations of key individuals linked to the scandal. ALMA ended their statement with a stark declaration: “With his statements yesterday, Nikos Christodoulides dropped the last fig leaf. We all see it now: The king is naked.”
