Diko and presidential candidate Nikos Christodoulides on Tuesday moved a step closer to solidifying their cooperation for the February elections, with the junior opposition party expected to announce its final decision on Sunday.
Diko leader Nikolas Papadopoulos met Christodoulides at the party’s offices with both veteran politicians later telling the media of the constructive talks which took place.
They jointly said they had discussed a wide array of important topics – from the Cyprus problem and the economy to social issues – with Christodoulides set to reply to Diko by Wednesday on some of their concerns.
Papadopoulos said that Diko’s executive office on Wednesday will have at its disposal all the relevant criteria on which to decide how to proceed. That will pave the way towards a central committee on Sunday which will make the final decisions on the presidential elections, he said.
The burgeoning field of candidates, now standing at a dozen, vying for the top spot has thrown the island into a pre-election campaign status, close to nine months before votes are cast.
Christodoulides, Disy leader Averof Neophytou, and Akel-backed Andreas Mavroyiannis are those viewed as securing considerable chunks of the electorate. Mavroyiannis and Christodoulides emphasise that they are running as independents.
Neophytou was unanimously ratified as the party’s presidential candidate for the upcoming elections during Disy’s supreme council session in March.
There is consternation amongst some within the electorate that those viewed as the most likely candidates to secure the presidency – namely Neophytou, Christodoulides, and Mavroyiannis – are all seen as being closely linked to the ruling government, with some wondering what change is truly on offer.
Other independent candidates include Achilleas Demetriades, Giorgos Colocassides, Marios Eliades and Christodoulos Protopapas.
Constantinos Christofides, former rector of the University of Cyprus, also recently announced his candidacy.
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