How are you proceeding for the presidential elections? You had the first meeting with Mr Papadopoulos.
After we have outlined the political framework within which we will move, we, as well as DIKO, will have an internal discussion on how to proceed and soon a date will be set for a new meeting in which we will attempt to take a step further, i.e. to discuss policy issues. This is one aspect of the discussion and the other aspect is that of the name.
Are these processes parallel, will they run at the same time?
To a large extent they are parallel, although they have their own autonomy. But you realize that it is not possible to discuss one issue while ignoring the other, because they are directly related. So they are both very important issues and we will discuss them.
Is there a timetable?
We do not want to prolong this debate. In any case, we believe that through intensifying the meetings and discussions it can be seen whether we can find consensus and convergence soon. First of all, it is understood that we must exhaust every possibility at our disposal to achieve cooperation, because alarm governance must end. It is common knowledge that the Coalition in power has caused many and deep deadlocks on important issues that determine the course of the country and the people. It is also common ground that we must stop the downward slide. These assessments are a basis on which we can build on and try to find convergences. This ground is good, but it does not guarantee the outcome.
The will to cooperate is clear and has been publicly proclaimed by you and by Mr Papadopoulos, but it is obviously not enough. Where do you see the most difficulties, if you have a first picture so far. In the political context or in the name?
It is not easy to say now because we have not yet started the discussion. Don't forget that the discussion with the other opposition parties is still pending, we want to discuss, I understand that DIKO also wants to have this discussion.
In parallel?
Yes, in parallel.
And separately?
At this stage separately, besides, at this stage we have not advanced the discussions with DIKO to such an extent. So, no one can predict the shape that the discussion will take when it resumes, I'm talking about today's data. And depending on how the issue progresses we will decide how to proceed. We will have to see the other opposition parties to decide how we proceed.
Have you booked meetings with leaders of other opposition parties?
Still, previously it was difficult because the parties had their congresses, I think now is the time to proceed.
If things move forward, could at some point the meetings be tripartite or even quadripartite?
I cannot predict it, nor can I rule it out. I am waiting to see how things take shape. We will certainly have to see them separately first and proceed accordingly.
AKEL sets change as the stakes of the elections. So does DIKO as well as other parties. Are you not troubled by the fact that you had set the same stakes in the parliamentary elections but the result was not as expected?
Presidential elections are completely different from parliamentary elections. Because the stakes and approaches are different for the legislative power and different for the executive power, which is the most basic power. Don't forget that under the Constitution, the President of the Republic largely decides on the key issues that determine the course of the country. Therefore, it is different how society approaches the issues. Not that the issues are not related, but they are different. In a presidential election you vote for the person, without of course ignoring which parties support him. As far as your question is concerned, the result of the parliamentary elections should be of concern to all of us, including us. All the traditional parties, but also some of the newer ones, had losses.
A perception has been built up in a significant part of society that the political system is more or less negative, that wherever there are parties the sign is negative. I personally disagree with this approach, but I disagree with it. This flattening and general depreciation is damaging to all parties. We are trying to deal with it.
In AKEL, how much does it trouble you?
Apart from the work you do in your party, you are certainly affected by the general climate that prevails because of the horizontal devaluation. You need additional effort to restore trust towards the party from society and voters. Therefore, along with the work we are doing for the presidential election, we are continuing the effort we started for changes in our party as well.
I wanted to ask you about this. Since the summer when you took office you have started contacts with the people of AKEL and society at large. What are the people of AKEL asking for?
I must say that the people have received this direct contact positively, which I must say was largely done before. We want to intensify this effort, to make it more stable but also more visible. To be felt by the world. The whole world should feel that we are there for them in a continuous and consistent manner. Strengthening our contact with them is very important. That is one pillar. The other pillar is our efforts to make changes within the party that will help us to formulate effective policies to promote specific issues of concern to society. We have made changes in the area of policy formulation through the evolution of the party's auxiliary offices. We have not only changed the name of course, we have changed the structures of policy production a lot, by engaging technocrats who are not necessarily party members, we are tapping into the expertise of experts with significant experience who can play an essential role in policy formulation. We are trying to involve more people in our processes and of course this makes our party's policy formulation and proposals on a number of issues more valid and more credible.
Earlier you also talked about constitutional changes in the party.
Yes, this is true, it is an issue that we will see when we move forward with the processes for the presidential elections. To see what we do with the party constitution, with structures that we need to build alongside existing party structures, to embrace people who share a positive and progressive agenda, but who for various reasons don't want to get involved in party processes. We want to see on a procedural and structural level how we can build a relationship of consistency and interaction with people with a progressive agenda.
Whenever you are asked about the presidential elections, you stress that AKEL will make a winning choice. Do you believe that AKEL can win the elections?
Of course I do. But I want to make it clear that we always proceed on the assumption of a victory selection. In previous years, because of the environment, the attacks we received and other factors, things were even more difficult. There were also the illusions fostered by DISY with its communication gimmicks about excellence of excellence, about fighting corruption, about the rule of law, the welfare state and many other commitments that turned out to be false. The reality is pitiful. Ten years of alarming governance have shattered many illusions. This helps convince us of the need for change and of course we must convince ourselves that we can bring about change.
Change for the better, of course.
Of course, it is not change for the sake of change. We want a progressive change, a positive change. As for the reforms. It is not the name that matters but the content. So we look forward to a change for the better. We want to make such choices that enhance the prospects of winning elections. That is why we have made it a top priority to have partnerships with other parties to create more prospects to win elections. Difficult elections, we want to make choices in a way that creates the best possible prospects for us to win.
I understand that if the goal of cooperation is not achieved, AKEL will go it alone, won't it?
If we do not achieve cooperation at the level we want, we will seek to have partnerships with social and other forces. But of course, as the political force that we are, we will have a candidate. With data so that we have the best prospects and conditions to win.
Read the second part of the interview tomorrow: The war in Ukraine and the dilemmas of the next day. The economic risks for Cyprus and the facts on the Cyprus problem.
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