The electoral landscape is differentiated after the largely expected deadlock in the intended AKEL-DIKO cooperation, and the focus now shifts to the next steps of Nicos Christodoulides, whose decisions will in any case determine the further moves of other opposition parties, and in particular DIKO.
The decision of the DIKO Executive Bureau late on Tuesday afternoon to freeze the dialogue with AKEL and authorise Nicolas Papadopoulos and the rest of the leadership team for a new round of contacts with the other parties and independent candidates, speeds up developments and shows DIKO's determination to move forward swiftly, while at the same time preserving the prospect of cooperation with AKEL, which also takes care to maintain bridges. In fact, DIKO did not declare the end of the effort, but made a manoeuvre and sent a clear message to the major opposition party that it does indeed have other options. Technically for DIKO the first option remains the candidacy of Nicolas Papadopoulos, but essentially as things stand, reportedly plan B is called Nicos Christodoulides.
After Easter
Nicolas Papadopoulos and Nikos Christodoulides have been in informal communication and now the ball is in the former foreign minister's court, who is receiving messages from various quarters, to announce his decisions soon, in order to formally enter the election race to enable the start of structured contacts and meetings.
Nikos Christodoulides does not want to follow a give-and-take logic that would send the message of conciliation, but prefers to proceed in a way that does not undermine the effort of an independent candidate with a non-partisan stigma. According to the Cyprus Times, Nikos Christodoulides is at an advanced stage to make announcements, which are scheduled after Easter. According to the same information, the former foreign minister will announce an outline of positions on major issues, which will form the basis of his election programme, which can be enriched with positions from potential partner forces.
AKEL's plan B
The next day of the deadlock in the attempt to cooperate with DIKO finds the AKEL leadership in reflection, as the withdrawal of the second largest opposition party limits the chances of success.
AKEL will continue contacts with other parties and organised groups, recognising that the degree of difficulty is greatly increased. In essence, AKEL is called upon to activate plan B, i.e. to come up with the person with whom to do battle, looking forward to the greatest possible support from other forces, without having excessive expectations.
Based on the current data, AKEL's options are limited but an effort will be made to enrich the possible candidates for the nomination. Achilleas Demetriades, Erato Kozakou Markoullis, Tasos Christofides, who were nominated to DIKO, remain on the AKEL list, which will be expanded with names from the wider centre-left and centre-right, with the expectation that they can become attractive to various other political spaces, both in terms of leadership and voters. The candidacy of lawyer Achilleas Demetriades has the support of cadres who see advantages, such as the fact that he has been "running" for a long time and, most importantly, that there is a convergence on issues of major importance for AKEL, such as the Cyprus problem, the need to fight corruption and the modernisation of the state. However, there are also members of the AKEL leadership who take a negative view of Demetriades' candidacy and suggest exploring other options.
Further steps for AKEL will be determined by the Central Committee, with final decisions to be taken by the extraordinary Pancyprian conference set for Sunday 15 May.
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