With DISY running led by Averof Neophytou and AKEL just a few 24 hours before the formal confirmation of the candidacy of Andreas Mavroyiannis, the focus for further developments regarding the presidential elections remains on the decisions to be launched by DIKO as well as the other parties, namely EDEK, PPP and the Movement of Ecologists.
In DISY and AKEL, the horizon towards 2023 is clear and the party machines are starting to rev up, with the aim of achieving the greatest possible coalescence. Executives in Pindarou and Hezekiah Papaioannou recognise that a ticket to the second round not only requires minimum losses compared to the 2021 parliamentary elections, but also requires additional inputs so that their chosen candidates can form the duo that will face off in the run-off.
DISY: Improving climate
DISY officials who spoke to the Cyprus Times express optimism about the development of the election effort and, citing recent polls, appear convinced that day by day the climate is improving in favour of Averof Neophytou. They also estimate that with systematic work and organizational mobilization, the rallying will rise to a level that will realize the objective.
Averof Neophytou returns from Rotterdam where he had important contacts with the leadership of the European People's Party, to which most heads of state and government in the EU belong. The EPP leadership, led by Manfred Weber, will be present at the DISY congress, which will take place in Nicosia on the 17th and 18th of this month, in the presence of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and President Anastasiades.
AKEL: Non-negotiable goal
The adoption of the proposal for the candidacy of Andreas Mavroyiannis with an overwhelming majority is a source of satisfaction for the AKEL leadership, but everyone realises that the hard times are now beginning. The party apparatus will have to reach maximum performance in order to make passage to the second round possible, a goal which AKEL describes as non-negotiable. Andreas Mavroyiannis is expected to receive the anointment at the extraordinary conference to be held on Sunday in Nicosia, in a jubilant atmosphere. Apart from the organisational mobilisation on the part of AKEL, the effort made by the candidate himself to attract voters from the wider left and centre-right is considered important.
DIKO in the role of regulator
DISY and AKEL are waiting for the moves of the other parties to formulate the strategy they will follow, both on the political level and on issues related to communication planning. The attention of the two major parties turns to the decisions of DIKO, which they see as a potential ally, at least in the second round. The two major parties do not favour a head-on clash with the party of Nicola Papadopoulos, nor with the other parties for obvious reasons, which have more to do with the prospect of cooperation. De facto, however, once DIKO makes its choices, it will automatically find itself in the crosshairs of both major parties. For DIKO, the scenarios are two: An autonomous run with Nicolas Papadopoulos or the support of another candidate, with or without the cooperation of other political forces. The scenario of an autonomous descent exists as a political option, but is being removed as a prospect, especially since the dialogue with AKEL did not bear fruit. Among the DIKO leadership, the scenario of supporting an independent candidate seems to be preferred, with the case of Nikos Christodoulides gaining a clear lead, despite the reservations raised by cadres, including Nicolas Papadopoulos himself. Christodoulides' initial statements are considered by the DIKO leadership to be a basis for discussion.
Monday's meeting is key
Cyprus, economy, energy, corruption, immigration, reforms, are for DIKO frontline issues that will determine its verdict, with Nicolas Papadopoulos insisting that in any case DIKO will be either a government or a coalition. These issues will be the focus of a meeting next Monday between the DIKO leadership team, led by Nicolas Papadopoulos and Nikos Christodoulides. The meeting will largely reveal the prospect of convergences that will allow both sides to further explore the possibility of cooperation. DIKO's final decision will be taken by the Central Committee around mid-June.
DIKO's decision is expected to largely serve as a barometer for the moves of other political parties. EDEK, PPP and Ecologists are conducting contacts with the presidential candidates as well as with parties, with their decisions to be made by the end of June at the latest.
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