OPINION

Dangerous confusion

Comments made by Alternate Minister for Citizens’ Protection Yiannis Panousis on Friday in response to a spate of protests and vandalism of public buildings have opened up a serious issue that needs to be addressed by the prime minister himself.

It is obvious that there are two schools of thought in the government: one that tolerates and even supports sit-ins and other disruptive forms of protest and one that understands how easy it is for this situation to spin out of control.

Public order, however, is vital to the smooth running of society and requires action rather than philosophical debates. If one minister calls for a crackdown and another for leniency, the authorities will rightfully become lax and action will be taken only when something regrettable has already happened.

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