Nicos Anastasiades’ First Two Years in Power

Abstract

Ever since Nicos Anastasiades was elected to the presidency in February 2013, and even earlier, there was persistent talk that the notorious — because protracted and ill-fated — “bi-communal negotiations” would, could, and even should restart within the year.¹ The eruption of the monumental financial crisis, following the two Eurogroup meetings of 15–16 and 25 March of that year, did not alter this prospect, deepening thereby the suspicion that Anastasiades’ victory would form an ideal opportunity for an attempt to “sell” to the country a triple package. For brevity, and using the initial Greek letters for crisis (Krisis), hydrocarbon deposits (Koitasmata), and the Cyprus problem (Kypriako), I will call it “the three Ks” package.