Paphos: President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, emphasized the importance of participation in the upcoming Parliamentary elections, stating that abstention is not an option. In a statement made at the 1st Primary School of Geroskipou, where he was accompanied by his wife Philippa Karsera Christodoulidou, the President underscored the significance of the electoral process, which he described as crucial for the legislative power of the country.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the President highlighted the need for cooperation between the executive and legislative branches for the benefit of the nation and its citizens. He urged Cypriots to partake in the electoral process, noting that reforms had been implemented to encourage greater participation, such as automatic registration and lowering the voting age to 17, effective from the next electoral cycle. He reiterated that abstention should not be considered.
When questioned about his concerns regarding the election outcome, President Christodoulides expressed confidence, stating that the results would be respected and that the executive power would collaborate with the new House to advance the country's progress and benefit society. He emphasized the importance of focusing on the nation's future development during elections.
Addressing inquiries about the pre-election campaign, the President remarked that a more substantive exchange of views would have been preferable. He noted that despite the campaign's completion, respect for all opinions remains critical, especially concerning national issues like the Cyprus problem. He affirmed readiness to cooperate based on ideological and political alignment without compromise.
President Christodoulides shared that his voting decisions were guided by his ideological-political principles, emphasizing consistency between his words and actions. He mentioned a social contract with the Cypriot people grounded in social liberalism, which influenced his voting choices.
In response to a question about his voting method, the President stated that the number of candidates he voted for was irrelevant, focusing instead on the importance of exercising his voting right. He reiterated his belief in the importance of clear ideological-political direction, countering claims of ideological collapse.
Finally, when asked about his plans for the evening, the President expressed his commitment to monitoring the election results while also acknowledging his interest in the basketball match between Olympiacos Piraeus and Real Madrid, highlighting his support for Olympiacos and Pafos.