The will for cooperation expressed at every opportunity by AKEL and DIKO is not enough, it seems, for the two parties to proceed together in the 2023 Presidential Elections.
The big "thorn" from the beginning in the discussions between the two parties was the name of the "chosen one" which seems to be confirmed with the passage of time, which does not leave much room for the two forces.
As mentioned in a previous Cyprus Times article, if in the coming days there is no drastic change in the facts, then the end of the effort for cooperation should be considered inevitable.
The possibility of ending up in the name of a political leader was again rejected by Stefanos Stefanou in a statement yesterday.
"It is what has guided us and is guiding us all the way. Not because political leaders do not have the ability to govern the country, but we had said from the very beginning that given the difficulties and many challenges that exist in the effort to achieve partnerships, it facilitates the discussion not to see political leaders and we insist on this position," said the General Secretary of AKEL, putting an end to any scenario of support for Nicolas Papadopoulos.
The Political Bureau of AKEL has decided as proposed to DIKO to nominate a candidate other than President Nicolas Papadopoulos.
AKEL is prepared for all scenarios, Stefanos Stefanou indicated, confirming that the discussion with DIKO is nearing its end.
"We are also towards the end of the discussion, but since things are in progress we cannot say where it will end up. Nor can I tell you what we will do. But AKEL is ready for all scenarios," said Mr Stefanou.
At the same time, DIKO will also put its next steps on the agenda tomorrow, Tuesday, while specific trends have already emerged in the party.
On Saturday, Nicolas Papadopoulos indicated that discussions are ongoing but cannot continue for an extended period of time.
"Therefore, we want in the immediate future to clarify the scene and make our own political decisions. For DIKO there are options," he indicated.
Plan B
Things become even more complex for the next day of the two parties in case the attempt for cooperation fails. If there is no serious reversal, AKEL's options are essentially limited to the three names it put on the table in the dialogue with DIKO, namely Achilleas Demetriades, Erato Kozakos Markoullis and Tasos Christofides. Without ruling out other names, which may emerge in the process, the expansion of options cannot be rapid.
In DIKO, in the event of a deadlock in the dialogue with AKEL, all options will be put on the table, such as an independent candidacy with Nicolas Papadopoulos, or the support of another candidate. The candidacy of former deputy chairman of the party, George Kolokasidis, is a fact that cannot be ignored, while the emerging candidacy of Nikos Christodoulides is certainly a piece of the puzzle.
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