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Charalambos Charalambous, director of the president's office of the Greek Cyprus Administration (GCA), announced his resignation amid corruption allegations sparked by a viral video.
The footage released Thursday on the social media platform X claimed the €1 million legal campaign spending limit for Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides in 2023 was exceeded illegally through alleged donations via Charalambous and former Energy Minister Giorgos Lakkotrypis.
Charalambous denied the allegations via Facebook, saying he could not permit his position to be "exploited for the purpose of harming" Greek Cyprus.
The video also prompted Philippa Karsera Christodoulides, wife of Greek Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, to step down from a state-affiliated charitable organization, according to local media.
Lakkotrypis rejected the allegations. The Greek Cypriot government called the video a product of "montage."
A Politis newspaper report published that contradicted the government's claims that Lakkotrypis had no connection to the activities shown in the video, according to AKEL statements. The report covered a video conference between Lakkotrypis, Charalambous, and an investor.
The main opposition party, AKEL, said in a statement that Christodoulides is "a continuation of the most corrupt system" and is "belittling and harming" the country and state instead of protecting them.
AKEL said Christodoulides deliberately obstructed the investigation process. "Because Nikos Christodoulides himself is at the center of the matter, he clearly does not want a real investigation and accountability to take place," AKEL stated.
AKEL said Christodoulides knew about and participated in the corruption mechanism. "The picture that has emerged shows he knew about this corruption mechanism and was part of it. This mechanism was clearly set up to directly serve him and his political plans," the party said.
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AKEL pointed out that donations to an institution referred to as "infamous" in public discourse remain hidden. "No steps have been taken toward abolishing the institution," AKEL said.
AKEL also accused Christodoulides of avoiding accountability. "Now it is clearly visible to everyone that Nikos Christodoulides, being at the center of the problem, does not want a real investigation and accountability to take place," the party stated.
"Despite speaking of transparency, Nikos Christodoulides is a continuation of the most corrupt system. Rather than protecting the country and state, he is belittling and harming them," AKEL said.
The 2023 presidential election campaign imposed a €1 million (about $1.166 million) legal spending limit on candidates.
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