The internal party procedures in the ranks of AKEL and DIKO are taking place with a strong background, in order to find the electors who will claim the presidential seat in the 2023 elections, following the failure of the joint effort between the two largest opposition parties.
AKEL and DIKO are in the final stretch, with the general secretary of the left-wing party, Stefanos Stefanou, making it clear that the internal party procedures for the presidential elections will be completed in June with the holding of an extraordinary pancyprian congress of AKEL, while for its part, DIKO seems to be in a wait-and-see position until the former Foreign Minister, Nikos Christodoulides, officially announces his candidacy.
At the same time, in his morning statements, AKEL's press spokesman George Kokumas admitted that they do not exclude the name of Andreas Mavroyiannis from the dialogue taking place in the party's ranks, stressing again that the only names they exclude are those of Nikos Christodoulides and Averof Neophytou.
Specifically, speaking on state radio, Mr. Koukumas, asked if there is room for a new initiative for a joint candidate with the Democratic Party, replied that the doors of AKEL are open and if there is room they will try to use it.
Asked to comment on whether in the case of Andreas Mavroyiannis the same applies to Nikos Christodoulides, given that he has been a member of the current government, Koukoumas clarified that: "what the Central Committee of AKEL has decided, but it was also the universal position of the people of the left and the base of the party, that those who are excluded are Averof Neophytou and Nikos Christodoulides, because not only were they members of this government, which we want to change, but they defend it and want to become a continuation of this government. This obviously differentiates them from all the others being discussed, because for us the question - which every citizen and every political force must answer - is whether after 10 years of the government of Synagerimos, whether the country needs change."
In fact, he noted that it is the political approach and the line drawn by Nicos Anastasiades and the Democratic Rally on the Cyprus problem and on socio-economic governance that is being judged and "we have to change". Leaving it clearly understood that the President of the Republic and DISY, and not Andreas Mavroyiannis, are to blame for the impasse and the handling of the Cyprus problem.
For his part, DIKO secretary general Athos Antoniades said that after the Easter break they will continue contacts with the other parties and independent candidates and all options will be put before the party.
Asked to comment on whether they expect Christodoulides' announcement, Antoniades said that Christodoulides is an important aspect of the presidential election equation.
He noted that "when he officially announces his candidacy and wishes to discuss with us, of course we will," noting at the same time that because of the popularity he enjoys - based on the polls - he is an important parameter. "We do not need to ostrich, it is a parameter," he stressed.
Asked if DIKO has almost decided to support Christodoulides' candidacy, Antoniades replied in the negative and explained that they will discuss with others in order to make the best decision for the country and the Democratic Party.
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs Cyprus Times
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or Cyprus Times
Source
