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The President of the Republic Mr.Nikos Christodoulides made statements to the media this evening at the Presidential Palace, regarding the conduct of the Elections for Members of the European Parliament and Local Government.
In his opening statement, President Christodoulides said: "I wish to express my satisfaction for the smooth conduct of the elections and to express the state's thanks to all those who contributed to the flawless organisation and conduct of this very demanding electoral process.
The citizens have spoken and their verdict is respected.
Every election is a celebration of democracy. I congratulate all the candidates as well as the political forces for their struggle, with ethics and dignity, regardless of the result.
Along with my congratulations to those who secured a mandate from the electorate, either in the European Parliament or in local government, I want to assure them that the Government and I personally will stand by them in every action, in every initiative and in every action aimed at improving the everyday life of the citizen and at strengthening and further upgrading and strengthening our country.
The six Cypriot MEPs are called upon to work for a stronger Europe, more effective, more competitive and more strategically autonomous. A Europe that strengthens our efforts to end the occupation and reunite our country.
I am confident that they will make every effort to ensure that the Republic of Cyprus prides itself in being a creative partner in the European Parliament as well, with a meaningful voice and role in all issues of concern to European citizens.
To the elected local leaders I wish every success, together with the promise that I see them as valuable partners in the great effort we are making to upgrade local government. The first Chairmen of the Provincial Councils of Local Government, the new Mayors and Deputy Mayors, the Municipal and Community Councillors and the Chairmen of our Communities, as well as the members of the School Boards will have the privilege of serving the citizens under the new model of local government. Local government reform, which takes effect on July 1, is a huge change that we strongly support. I have no doubt that with collective effort and cooperation we will meet the challenges posed by a reform of this magnitude.
The elections are over. The cooperation of the government with all political forces and elected local government leaders should be taken for granted and at all levels.
I personally and the Government will continue to do everything possible to ensure maximum national unity at home with only the well-meaning interests of our people in mind, with a high sense of responsibility and with the deepest conviction that the days to come will be better for our country, in a Cyprus that is changing every day."
Asked to comment on the "surprise" of the evening, Phidias Panagiotou, the President of the Republic said that "the result of the elections is fully respected, the Cypriot people have spoken, and we should all take the messages sent to us by the Cypriot people". "I am someone who in no way devalues or diminishes the importance of the messages sent by society. Every day I am among society, so every message that society sends us, all of us who are currently involved in the public life of the country must take these messages into account," he said.
Asked about the issue of abstention from today's elections, the President of the Republic said: "Clearly we would like to see more participation both for the European Parliament elections and for the local government elections. There was this peculiarity at the present juncture with the reform. We will look at all this as the executive, always in cooperation with the legislature, to see in the next few cases what is the best thing to do in terms of participation. This is something that is of great interest to us."
In response to a journalist's remark that in European countries the far-right has seen a rise in its numbers, the President of the Republic said: "It was certainly not something we wanted to happen. I have already seen the forecasts, the estimates in relation to the composition of the European Parliament, I have spoken to some of my colleagues, I have spoken to some MEPs from other countries who have been elected. I will be in Brussels on the 17th to have this first debate, exchange of views with my colleagues on the President of the Commission, the four main positions of the European institutions, and decisions will be taken on the basis of the majority. I have seen the assessment of the results, particularly with regard to the first position, I think it was to be expected. Looking at the other rankings, it was within that framework that was the estimates that I had, taking into account the discussions that I had last week with European leaders. Beyond that, a new effort now begins in relation to the heads of the institutions, but also the Commission itself."
(PM/NZ/EP)
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