THE FISH ROTS FROM THE HEAD DOWN

written by ASLI MURAT | YENİDÜZEN | September 10, 2025

“The fish rots from the head down.” If the head is rotten, the stench permeates the entire body; eventually, the fish becomes poisonous.

Article 102 of our Constitution clearly defines the duties of the President:

  • To represent the unity and integrity of society as the head of state,
  • To ensure respect for the Constitution, the orderly conduct of public affairs, and the continuity of the state,
  • To exercise power impartially.

Today, however, a foul stench is rising from every corner of the country. Public services are in a state of collapse. No segment of the society is happy. Our economic and social rights have been curtailed, and the value of labour is trampled underfoot. The strike entering its seventh day in producer cooperatives, allegations of corruption at KIB-TEK ,and the involvement of the financial police in the process are some of the most concrete signs of the collapse, which has been voiced by organised trade unions in the public sector for years. The prevailing sentiment across society is even heavier: living conditions that offer no future and have become increasingly insecure with each passing day.

The institutions that represent our social existence are being sold off one by one; moreover, this is being done solely to satisfy the petty interests of those in power. Social good is being disregarded.

The mindset behind all this wants the current President, who is the head of the country, to continue to stay in power. However, this office requires impartiality and the representation of society as a whole. The current President is far from representing society; rather than ensuring the unity and integrity of the people, he is deepening divisions.

The same approach applies to the Cyprus issue. The prospect of a solution has vanished; a strategy has been pursued that isolates us from the world and severs our ties with the international community. No vision has been put forward, either internally or externally, to safeguard the existence of our community.

Therefore, the first step is to change the seat of Presidential power in October. What follows will be the renewal and revitalisation of domestic politics. This is precisely why I say, ‘The fish rots from the head down’: let’s change the head so that we can heal the body.

The presidential election in October is vital enough to determine our future.

This article was originally published on 20.08.2025

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