In AKEL they are still keeping their cards close on the names of possible candidates, putting forward the position that the political framework of an agreement should first be made clear. The only certainty is that AKEL does not want to exclude any name in order not to limit the room for negotiation, especially with DIKO. The exception is the name of Nikos Christodoulides, whom AKEL does not discuss since it blames him for a failed foreign policy and for wrong moves and assessments directly related to the Cyprus problem. AKEL has reportedly communicated to DIKO its serious objections to the former Foreign Minister. Nicolas Papadopoulos also has reservations[/B] about Nikos Christodoulides, for a number of substantive and tactical reasons. However, he agrees with party officials that he should place him on the shortlist of possible options.
In a good climate
Officials from AKEL and DIKO who spoke to the Cyprus Times speak of a good climate in the exploratory contacts between the two parties, with the desire for political change in 2023 as a component. But apart from the mutual intention, there is nothing tangible, especially as regards the person who will be the promoter of the effort as a joint presidential candidate. For DIKO, the first name for the nomination remains party president Nicolas Papadopoulos, who is not ruled out in AKEL but at the leadership level they have reservations about the acceptance he might have at the grassroots level. Ezecia Papaioannou's sources told theCyprus Times that the image that has been forming for Nicolas Papadopoulos in AKEL recently "is not negative as it was a few years ago", but this does not mean that it is at the desired level for him, something that the President of DIKO understands. Both sides realise that in order to have a reasonable prospect of success they are doomed to cooperate and within this framework, according to sources from both parties, they appear willing to exhaust the scope for understanding, otherwise each party will go its own way.
On the part of AKEL, a desire is expressed for cooperation with a person who can be accepted by the leadership and the base of both parties and beyond. This parameter will be helped by a poll that has been underway lately in order to draw some conclusions. Achilleas Demetriades, George Pamboridis, Tasos Christofides, Erato Kozakou Marcoullis are on the list of names being discussed in AKEL, according to party sources.
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