Political parties and former presidential candidates took this week important decisions as to whom they will support ahead of the second round of the presidential elections on Sunday. They expressed either their support to one of the two candidates or urged their voters to cast a free vote.
Candidates for the presidential election runoff are former Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides backed mainly by the Democratic Party (DIKO), Social Democrats EDEK and Democratic Alliance (DIPA) and former Greek Cypriot negotiator for the Cyprus issue and diplomat Andreas Mavroyiannis backed mainly by left wing AKEL.
Christodoulides received 32.04% or 127,309 votes during the first round last Sunday and Andreas Mavroyiannis 29.59% or 117,551 votes.
The Democratic Rally’s (DISY) Political Bureau whose President and presidential candidate Averof Neofytou came third in the elections (26.11% or 103,748 of votes) has voted overwhelmingly to urge its members to cast a conscience vote in the second round of presidential elections.
The party decided to be in opposition to any government that may arise from the second round of elections, based on its principles. This was the proposal approved in the marathon session of the party’s Political Office and there was prior understanding with the President of the Republic, Nicos Anastasiades. The Political Bureau rejected a proposal to support Nikos Christodoulides which received two votes in favour and also rejected a proposal submitted by Pafos Mayor Fedonas Fedonos to support Andreas Mavroyiannis. His proposal received six votes.
“We didn’t lose these elections, instead we gained our identity, principles and values upon which the Democratic Rally was founded”, said Neofytou, adding “we have followed the same principles throughout the election campaign and we they have no difficulties in choosing our path”. He also announced that the party will hold its Pancyprian Electoral Congress on 11 March and that he will ask members for a renewal of his mandate.
Far right wing ELAM party, whose President and candidate Christos Christou came fourth at the elections (6.04%, or 23,988 votes) will announce its decision either later today or tomorrow. ELAM Spokesman Geadis Geadi told CNA that the Central Committee held a meeting yesterday evening, during which all participants expressed their views. He added that the Political Council was authorized to take into consideration all views and make the final announcement, either today or tomorrow.
Asked if ELAM has sent a questionnaire to both presidential candidates, he said that they did, adding that details will be given in the party’s official announcement.
The Cyprus Greens movement decided on Wednesday to call its members and supporters to cast a free vote at the repeat election on Sunday.
According to a statement issued by the Green party during the secret ballot that took place during the pancyprian conference, no candidate gathered more than the 60% of the votes that is required by the statute of the party. Andreas Mavroyiannis received 44.3% while Nikos Christodoulides 32.8%. A total of 21.3% voted blank, while 1.6% votes were not valid. The party called on its members not to publicly participate in the election campaign of any candidate for the upcoming presidential elections or the declaration of the new president.
Presidential candidates who did not make it to the second round, namely Achilleas Demetriades (2.05% or 8,137 votes) and Constantinos Christofides (1.59% or 6,326 votes) expressed their support for Andreas Mavroyiannis.
Announcing his decision, Demetriades said that Mavroyiannis’ positions on the Cyprus issue are close to his own, while there was common ground on the issue of dealing with corruption.
“The choice was not easy, because with the two candidates I had and have different approaches to a number of issues”, he said, noting that he was happy to notice that he found common ground with Mavroyiannis in their discussion on the issues of corruption. Regarding the Cyprus issue, he said that he underlined to Mavroyiannis the urgent need for bold initiatives, while he expressed his concerns about the course of the economy.
The 77-member council of New Wave, led by Constantinos Christofides, has decided to support the candidate for the presidency of the Republic, Andreas Mavroyiannis, in the second round of the presidential elections.
In statements, Christofides said that in terms of the economy, the two candidates have similar views and have promised to handle it wisely and promote green transition. Concerning the Cyprus problem, Christofides said he believes that Andreas Mavroyiannis has clearer positions and is determined to promote the Greek-Cypriot’s long-term political agenda for a federal solution, compared to the opposing views of the forces supporting Nikos Christodoulides.
Additionally, regarding corruption, it is believed that Mavroyiannis will effectively tackle the problem of corruption that undermines the national wealth and destroys the country’s institutions. He said that if positions of power were the end in themselves, there would be no DISY and urged members to vote with a clear conscience.
Presidential candidate George Colocassides, who received 1.33% or 5,287 votes during the first round held meetings this week with both presidential hopefuls. He announced after his meetings that he will not publicly express his support for one of the two candidates. He said that both support a solution based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation and the continuation of the same policy on the Cyprus issue.
Aristotelous Charalambos, who received 0.22% during last Sunday’s elections, said in a press release that he will not back any of the two candidates.
Source: Cyprus News Agency