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With the lengthy statement-announcement, Andreas Mavroyiannis is addressing citizens regardless of political or party affiliation, something that will also characterize his effort. This is because the former diplomat needs the support of voters beyond the AKEL area in order to be able to claim a ticket for the second round. Andreas Mavroyiannis needs to rally AKEL to the maximum and secure the support of additional voters in order to have reasonable expectations of qualifying for the by-election that will decide the new occupant of the Presidential Palace.
The biggest challenge for Andreas Mavroyiannis is to overturn the impression that he is AKEL's candidate, that he is self-appointed and that he has his own policy-making team, especially on economic issues, which is AKEL's weak point. The fact that he secured the nomination from AKEL before he even announced his candidacy allows his political opponents to criticise him for political dependence on the major opposition party.
"I believe and am optimistic that with his help, as well as the expected support of other political and social forces and groups and civil society, we can bring better days to our country," he said in his announcement, but shortly afterwards came the first fire from the ruling party, which spoke of a "complete lack of independence since today's announcement is fully dependent on AKEL's decisions". The statement by DISY spokesman Demetris Demetriou is indicative of the attitude that the ruling party will maintain towards the candidacy of Mavroyiannis, as until recently a close associate of President Anastasiades "How can people who have never disagreed or differentiated themselves, never and nowhere, appear as agents of change, progressive or otherwise?" Demetriou, setting his sights on the other candidate, Nikos Christodoulides.
AKEL discreetly present
AKEL is investing in the versatility of Andreas Mavroyiannis, who, by virtue of his position, maintains very good relations with the entire leadership of the political forces. However, it is clear that he lacks experience in the political arena, which is often harsh and even flattening. Another serious weakness is the lack of an organisational mechanism, a weakness which AKEL is expected to cover.
Andreas Mavroyiannis will staff his staff with his own associates, who will certainly be assisted by AKEL members. From there on, things will be easier for Andreas Mavroyiannis (and AKEL) if even a small party supports his candidacy. It will make it more independent and, of course, will give him an image advantage, since in TV and other debates, he will have two voices in his favour and will not be identified with AKEL.
In the next period he will start preparing his election programme, which, as AKEL assures, will be the product of a dialogue between the candidate and experts. "I intend to continue elaborating specific programme positions with the help of organised groups, personalities, specialists, experts, technocrats through a perpetual dialectical relationship with our people and society, to ensure that the ambition of the vision and the content of the programme meet the expectations of all of us to the greatest extent possible," says Andreas Mavroyiannis himself.
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