In the EPP, time is counting down for the decision, which will be taken at congress level on July 13, with delegates from all over Cyprus. Information from the EPP speaks of a clear tendency in favour of the candidacy of Nikos Christodoulides, while some cadres, led by Kostis Efstathiou, favour the candidacy of Giorgos Kolokasidis. Marinos Sizopoulos, who has not yet put his cards on the table, was in favour of the candidacy of Nicolas Papadopoulos. DIKO's decision last Sunday to back Christodoulides creates a fact that reinforces the trend in favour of Christodoulides. Another element that cannot be ignored is the pro-Christodoulides mood among the members of the "other EDEK", the group that is outside the party after the well-known clash with the leadership team led by Marinos Sizopoulos.
DPP weighs in
In the Democratic Party things are somewhat more complex since, according to relevant information, all three scenarios are possible, i.e. support for one of the three main contenders for the presidency. The information refers to a trend in favour of Nikos Christodoulides but notes that there are open issues, such as the as yet unknown governance programme of the former foreign minister. The same information notes the very good relations between party President Marios Karoyan and other officials and Andreas Mavroyiannis, but they expect to have a clearer picture of his polling performance in order to have reasonable indications that he can be a candidate with a winning perspective. The mood is also in favour of Averof Neophytou, despite the reservations of cadres who disagree with such a cooperation. The PPP will have contacts with all three candidates. So far the second meeting with Nikos Christodoulides has been booked for Friday.
September and the Ecologists
And in the Movement of Environmentalists decisions seem to be placed certainly not before September. The leadership is waiting for answers from the presidential candidates on a number of policy issues, which will be evaluated for further. The decision will be made by an expanded body including Central Committee members and other officials. According to the statutes of the Ecologist-Civic Coalition Movement, in order to be endorsed, a candidate must secure 60% or more of the said enlarged body. Clear trends are not visible, at least so far, with information pointing to many different opinions and starting points even among the leadership of the Movement.
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