With the announcement of the candidacy of Nikos Christodoulides, another piece is added to the puzzle of the 2023 presidential elections, which now has two outstanding issues: The expected ratification by the AKEL base of the party leadership's proposal to support the candidacy of Andreas Mavroyiannis and the next steps of the smaller opposition parties
Although expected, the announcement of Christodoulides' independent candidacy took the political and journalistic world somewhat by surprise. What was innovative was the hybrid way of broadcasting the announcement. Nikos Christodoulides and his colleagues used the possibilities of digital technology and by broadcasting the announcement online, they activated both traditional media and social media. The approximately twenty-minute announcement, which was visualized on Sunday at the Nicosia Municipal Theatre, was too long for a live TV broadcast, so YouTube was chosen. In essence, the content of the announcement sent multiple messages, with the dominant one being the need for a new political page, without divisions among citizens, without party and ideological conflicts and meaningless confrontations.
IGO and will not found a party
Nikos Christodoulides gave a clear signal on the Cyprus problem, stressing that he will seek a solution on the basis of the agreed framework of the Bi-zonal Bicommunal Federation, He made it clear that he will not establish a political party, expressed gratitude to Nicos Anastasiades and praised the role of all the Presidents of the Republic for their contribution to the formation of the modern Republic of Cyprus.
Social justice, solidarity, the utilization of the most capable regardless of ideological, party or social origin, a strong economy, a credible foreign policy, the upgrading of Cyprus' role in Europe, were some of the points that stood out from the announcement of Christodoulides' independent candidacy.
The next day
The policy pillars he developed will form the basis of the pre-election program, which will take final form after the completion of consultations with social partners, organized groups, civic groups. In this context, it is expected that there will also be contacts with political parties, with the attention of course turning to the opposition parties, DIKO, DIPA, EPP, EDEK and the Ecologists, who have not yet decided.
DISY reaction
As expected, the announcement of Christodoulides' candidacy immediately triggered the reflexes of DISY, which launched an attack against the former Foreign Minister, whom it accused of turning against the government that appointed him. "It is now time for him as the opposition candidate to explain why he wants to reverse the right course of the country. We continue to work for the Cyprus of tomorrow," was the typical comment of DISY president and presidential candidate, Averof Neophytou. This will be the core of DISY's strategy against the candidacy of Christodoulides, who reportedly will not seek a tough election campaign, not only because it does not serve his profile but also because he does not have the plurality of cadres who will be able to fend off the massive party attack, both from DISY and AKEL. The major opposition party launched a barrage against Averof Neophytou and Nikos Christodoulides, whom it called the two sides of the same alarming government. AKEL will attempt to identify Nikos Christodoulides and Averof Neophytou in order to appear as the dominant pole serving the goal of political change, thus wanting to attract dissatisfied citizens. In this way AKEL also hopes to put pressure on DIKO voters in the expectation that it will drive them away from the Christodoulides candidacy.
The President votes for Averof
Nicos Anastasiades made it clear yesterday that he will avoid getting involved in controversies of an electoral nature, preserving his institutional role and therefore will not comment positively or negatively on the decisions of parties or personalities. "As an active citizen and for many years a leading member of the Democratic Rally, I have publicly expressed my full support for the candidacy of Mr. Averof Neophytou, president of DISY, recognizing both his leadership abilities and the need to preserve the unity of the historic party" he said.
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