The National Council of Cyprus
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Abstract
In 1975, in the aftermath of the 1974 Turkish invasion in Cyprus, President Makarios established the National Council (NC). This was a body intended to function in an advisory capacity to the President, with regard to negotiations on the Cyprus problem. Throughout most of its 40 years the Council has enjoyed the respect of the media as well as the Cypriot citizenry. However, in recent times the reason for the Council’s continued existence has been questioned, with some claiming it has become redundant. Many argue that the Council has lost its legitimacy either directly – or indirectly through its constituent parts – insofar as it has failed to contribute to a solution to the Cyprus problem. This article aims to explain the NC’s failure as a result of both internal politics and the overall declining public trust in political institutions in general and the NC in particular. It will examine the Council’s interaction with other political institutions in the Republic of Cyprus and critically evaluate the changing context within which the Council operates. The analysis is based on a framework that integrates the recent changes that Cyprus has experienced, including EU accession.
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Keywords
Cyprus, National Council (NC), legitimacy, political parties, presidents
References
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Beyers, J. and Kerremans, B. (2004) ‘How Do Societal Interests Gain Access to the Policy-Making on Multilateral Trade in the European Union?’ Paper Presented at the Second Pan-European Conference Standing Group on EU Politics. Bologna, 24–26 June 2004.
Betz, H.G. (1993) ‘The New Politics of Resentment. Radical Right-wing Populist Parties in Western Europe’, Comparative Politics, Vol. 25, No. 4, pp. 413–427.
Bosco, A. and Verney, S. (2012) ‘Electoral Epidemic: The Political Cost of Economic Crisis in Southern Europe, 2010–11’, South European Society and Politics, Vol. 17, Iss. 2, pp. 129–154.
Christophorou, C. (2006) The Emergence of Modern Politics in Cyprus (1940–1959), in Faustmann, H. and Peristianis, N. (eds), Britain in Cyprus, Colonialism and Post-Colonialism 1878–2006. Mannheim and Mohnesee: Bibliopolis, pp. 295–317.
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Clerides, G. (2001) ‘Suggestions for the Composition and Operation of the National Council’, memorandum given to NC members on 22 June.
Daalder, H. (1992) ‘A Crisis of Party’, Scandinavian Political Studies, Vol. 15, No. 4, pp. 269–288.
Dionysiou, D. (2013) ‘The Maths of the NC’, Politis, 21 July, p. 4.
Eleftheria (1921) ‘The Charter of the Political Organisation of Cyprus’, 5 November, p. 4.
ESS Round 4: European Social Survey Round 4 Data (2008) Data file edition 3.0. Norwegian Social Science Data Services, Norway – Data Archive and distributor of ESS data.
ESS Round 5: European Social Survey Round 5 Data (2010) Data file edition 2.0. Norwegian Social Science Data Services, Norway – Data Archive and distributor of ESS data.
ESS Round 6: European Social Survey Round 6 Data (2012). Data file edition 1.1. Norwegian Social Science Data Services, Norway – Data Archive and distributor of ESS data.
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Faustmann, H. (2008) ‘Aspects of Political Culture in Cyprus’, in Ker-Lindsay, J. and Faustmann, H. (eds), The Government and Politics of Cyprus. Bern et al: Peter Lang, pp. 17–44.
Haravgi (2013) ‘A Secretariat of the National Council was Established’, 18 July, p. 8.
Georghallides, G. (1979) A Political and Administrative History of Cyprus 1918–1926 with a Survey of the Foundations of British Rule. Nicosia: Cyprus Research Center.
Katsourides, Y. (2012) ‘Composition, Recruitment and Career Patterns of the Political Elite in Cyprus (1988–2010)’, The Cyprus Review, Vol. 24, No. 1, pp. 15–37.
Katsourides, Y. (2013a) ‘Nationalism, Anti-Colonialism and the Crystallisation of Greek Cypriot Nationalist Party Politics’, Commonwealth and Comparative Politics, forthcoming.
Katsourides, Y. (2013b) ‘Couch Activism’ and the Individualisation of Political Demands: Political Behaviour in Contemporary Cypriot Society’, Journal of Contemporary European Studies, Vol. 21, No. 1, pp. 87–103.
Katz, R. and Mair, P. (1995) ‘Changing Models of Party Organization: The Emergence of the Cartel Party’, Party Politics, Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 5–28.
Ker-Lindsay, J. (2008a) ‘Presidential Power and Authority’, in Ker-Lindsay, J. and Faustmann, H. (eds), The Government and Politics of Cyprus. Bern et al: Peter Lang, pp. 107–124.
Ker-Lindsay, J. (2008b) ‘The National Council’, in Ker-Lindsay, J. and Faustmann, H. (eds), The Government and Politics of Cyprus. Bern et al: Peter Lang, pp. 125–142.
Kernell, S. (1997) Going Public: New Strategies of Presidential Leadership. Washington DC: Congressional Quarterly Press.
Ladrech, R. (2010) Europeanisation of National Politics. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Linz, J. (1990) ‘Transitions to Democracy’, Washington Quarterly, No. 13, pp. 143–164.
Lipset, S.M. (1963) Political Man. New York: Anchor Books.
Mair, P. (2005) ‘Democracy beyond Parties’, Centre for the Study of Democracy, Paper 05’06, University of California, Irvine.
Matveeva, A. (1999) ‘Democratization, Legitimacy and Political Change in Central Asia’, International Affairs, Vol. 75, No. 1, pp. 23–44.
Mavratsas, C. (2003) National Unity and Political Pluralism. Athens: Katarti [in Greek].
Morris, Z. and Walker, H.A. (1998) ‘Legitimacy and the Stability of Authority’, in Berger, J. and Zelditch, M. (eds), Status Power and Legitimacy. New Brunswick: Transaction Publications.
Mulgan, R. (2003) Holding Power to Account: Accountability in Modern Democracies. New York: Palgrave MacMillan.
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Radaelli, C. (2000) ‘Whither Europeanization?: Concept Stretching and Substantive Change’, European Integration online Papers (EIoP) Vol. 4, No. 8. Available at [http://eiop.or.at/eiop/texte/2000-008a.htm], accessed on 17 April 2013.
Rhodes, R.A.W. (2008) ‘Executives in Parliamentary Government’, in Rhodes, R.A.W., Binder, S.A. and Rockman, B.A. (eds), The Oxford Handbook of Political Institutions. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 323–343.
Scaff, L. (1975) ‘Two Concepts of Political Participation’, The Western Political Quarterly, Vol. 28, No. 3, pp. 447–462.
Shugart, M.S. (2008) ‘Comparative Executive – Legislative Relations’, in Rhodes, R.A.W., Binder, S.A. and Rockman, B.A. (eds), The Oxford Handbook of Political Institutions. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 344–365.
Simerini (2013) ‘Citizens Alliance is not Accepted to the NC’, 17 July, p. 5.
Taki, Y. and Officer, D. (2008) ‘Civil Society and the Public Sphere’, in Ker-Lindsay, J. and Faustmann, H. (eds), The Government and Politics of Cyprus. Bern: Peter Lang, pp. 205–230.
Thomassen, J. and Schmitt, H. (1999) Political Representation and Legitimacy in the European Union. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Von Beyme, K. (2008) ‘Political Institutions: Old and New’, in Rhodes, R.A.W., Binder, S.A. and Rockman, B.A. (eds), The Oxford Handbook of Political Institutions. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 743–757.
Interviews
Christofias, Demetris, President of Cyprus 2008–2013, 2 February 2013.
Garoyian, Marios, President DHKO, 11 February 2013.
Kyprianou, Andros, Secretary General AKEL, 9 January 2013.
Lyssarides, Vassos, Honorary President of EDEK, 19 November 2013.
Neophytou, Averoff, President DISY (Vice-president at the time), 6 February 2013.
Pantelides, Chrysis, Director of the late President’s Tassos Papadopoulos office, 22 January 2013.
Perdikis, Giorgos, Secretary General Green Party, 21 January 2013.
Syllouris, Demetris, President EUROPEAN Party, 24 January 2013.
Beyers, J. and Kerremans, B. (2004) ‘How Do Societal Interests Gain Access to the Policy-Making on Multilateral Trade in the European Union?’ Paper Presented at the Second Pan-European Conference Standing Group on EU Politics. Bologna, 24–26 June 2004.
Betz, H.G. (1993) ‘The New Politics of Resentment. Radical Right-wing Populist Parties in Western Europe’, Comparative Politics, Vol. 25, No. 4, pp. 413–427.
Bosco, A. and Verney, S. (2012) ‘Electoral Epidemic: The Political Cost of Economic Crisis in Southern Europe, 2010–11’, South European Society and Politics, Vol. 17, Iss. 2, pp. 129–154.
Christophorou, C. (2006) The Emergence of Modern Politics in Cyprus (1940–1959), in Faustmann, H. and Peristianis, N. (eds), Britain in Cyprus, Colonialism and Post-Colonialism 1878–2006. Mannheim and Mohnesee: Bibliopolis, pp. 295–317.
Civicus: Civil Society Index Report for Cyprus (2005) An Assessment of Civil Society in Cyprus, A Map for the Future. Nicosia: NGO Support Center.
Civicus: Civil Society Index Report for Cyprus (2011) An Assessment of Civil Society in Cyprus, A Map for the Future. Nicosia: NGO Support
Center.
Clerides, G. (2001) ‘Suggestions for the Composition and Operation of the National Council’, memorandum given to NC members on 22 June.
Daalder, H. (1992) ‘A Crisis of Party’, Scandinavian Political Studies, Vol. 15, No. 4, pp. 269–288.
Dionysiou, D. (2013) ‘The Maths of the NC’, Politis, 21 July, p. 4.
Eleftheria (1921) ‘The Charter of the Political Organisation of Cyprus’, 5 November, p. 4.
ESS Round 4: European Social Survey Round 4 Data (2008) Data file edition 3.0. Norwegian Social Science Data Services, Norway – Data Archive and distributor of ESS data.
ESS Round 5: European Social Survey Round 5 Data (2010) Data file edition 2.0. Norwegian Social Science Data Services, Norway – Data Archive and distributor of ESS data.
ESS Round 6: European Social Survey Round 6 Data (2012). Data file edition 1.1. Norwegian Social Science Data Services, Norway – Data Archive and distributor of ESS data.
Eurobarometer (2013) Standard Eurobarometer 79/Spring.
Faustmann, H. (2008) ‘Aspects of Political Culture in Cyprus’, in Ker-Lindsay, J. and Faustmann, H. (eds), The Government and Politics of Cyprus. Bern et al: Peter Lang, pp. 17–44.
Haravgi (2013) ‘A Secretariat of the National Council was Established’, 18 July, p. 8.
Georghallides, G. (1979) A Political and Administrative History of Cyprus 1918–1926 with a Survey of the Foundations of British Rule. Nicosia: Cyprus Research Center.
Katsourides, Y. (2012) ‘Composition, Recruitment and Career Patterns of the Political Elite in Cyprus (1988–2010)’, The Cyprus Review, Vol. 24, No. 1, pp. 15–37.
Katsourides, Y. (2013a) ‘Nationalism, Anti-Colonialism and the Crystallisation of Greek Cypriot Nationalist Party Politics’, Commonwealth and Comparative Politics, forthcoming.
Katsourides, Y. (2013b) ‘Couch Activism’ and the Individualisation of Political Demands: Political Behaviour in Contemporary Cypriot Society’, Journal of Contemporary European Studies, Vol. 21, No. 1, pp. 87–103.
Katz, R. and Mair, P. (1995) ‘Changing Models of Party Organization: The Emergence of the Cartel Party’, Party Politics, Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 5–28.
Ker-Lindsay, J. (2008a) ‘Presidential Power and Authority’, in Ker-Lindsay, J. and Faustmann, H. (eds), The Government and Politics of Cyprus. Bern et al: Peter Lang, pp. 107–124.
Ker-Lindsay, J. (2008b) ‘The National Council’, in Ker-Lindsay, J. and Faustmann, H. (eds), The Government and Politics of Cyprus. Bern et al: Peter Lang, pp. 125–142.
Kernell, S. (1997) Going Public: New Strategies of Presidential Leadership. Washington DC: Congressional Quarterly Press.
Ladrech, R. (2010) Europeanisation of National Politics. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Linz, J. (1990) ‘Transitions to Democracy’, Washington Quarterly, No. 13, pp. 143–164.
Lipset, S.M. (1963) Political Man. New York: Anchor Books.
Mair, P. (2005) ‘Democracy beyond Parties’, Centre for the Study of Democracy, Paper 05’06, University of California, Irvine.
Matveeva, A. (1999) ‘Democratization, Legitimacy and Political Change in Central Asia’, International Affairs, Vol. 75, No. 1, pp. 23–44.
Mavratsas, C. (2003) National Unity and Political Pluralism. Athens: Katarti [in Greek].
Morris, Z. and Walker, H.A. (1998) ‘Legitimacy and the Stability of Authority’, in Berger, J. and Zelditch, M. (eds), Status Power and Legitimacy. New Brunswick: Transaction Publications.
Mulgan, R. (2003) Holding Power to Account: Accountability in Modern Democracies. New York: Palgrave MacMillan.
Orphanidou, S. (2013) ‘Corruption in Politics and the Media’, Politis, 10 July, p. 27.
Papadopoulos, M. (2013a) ‘Spray, Wiped, Finished’, Simerini, 17 July, p. 4.
Papadopoulos, M. (2013b) ‘Antidemocratic Exclusion’, Simerini, 18 July, p. 4.
Radaelli, C. (2000) ‘Whither Europeanization?: Concept Stretching and Substantive Change’, European Integration online Papers (EIoP) Vol. 4, No. 8. Available at [http://eiop.or.at/eiop/texte/2000-008a.htm], accessed on 17 April 2013.
Rhodes, R.A.W. (2008) ‘Executives in Parliamentary Government’, in Rhodes, R.A.W., Binder, S.A. and Rockman, B.A. (eds), The Oxford Handbook of Political Institutions. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 323–343.
Scaff, L. (1975) ‘Two Concepts of Political Participation’, The Western Political Quarterly, Vol. 28, No. 3, pp. 447–462.
Shugart, M.S. (2008) ‘Comparative Executive – Legislative Relations’, in Rhodes, R.A.W., Binder, S.A. and Rockman, B.A. (eds), The Oxford Handbook of Political Institutions. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 344–365.
Simerini (2013) ‘Citizens Alliance is not Accepted to the NC’, 17 July, p. 5.
Taki, Y. and Officer, D. (2008) ‘Civil Society and the Public Sphere’, in Ker-Lindsay, J. and Faustmann, H. (eds), The Government and Politics of Cyprus. Bern: Peter Lang, pp. 205–230.
Thomassen, J. and Schmitt, H. (1999) Political Representation and Legitimacy in the European Union. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Von Beyme, K. (2008) ‘Political Institutions: Old and New’, in Rhodes, R.A.W., Binder, S.A. and Rockman, B.A. (eds), The Oxford Handbook of Political Institutions. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 743–757.
Interviews
Christofias, Demetris, President of Cyprus 2008–2013, 2 February 2013.
Garoyian, Marios, President DHKO, 11 February 2013.
Kyprianou, Andros, Secretary General AKEL, 9 January 2013.
Lyssarides, Vassos, Honorary President of EDEK, 19 November 2013.
Neophytou, Averoff, President DISY (Vice-president at the time), 6 February 2013.
Pantelides, Chrysis, Director of the late President’s Tassos Papadopoulos office, 22 January 2013.
Perdikis, Giorgos, Secretary General Green Party, 21 January 2013.
Syllouris, Demetris, President EUROPEAN Party, 24 January 2013.
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“The National Council of Cyprus”. 2017. Cyprus Review 25 (2): 39-58. https://cyprusreview.org/index.php/cr/article/view/107.