History is ahead of us – we are responding to its call!
Saturday, 10th February 2018 “HARAVGI” newspaper
Article by Andros Kyprianou, General Secretary of the C.C. of AKEL
As of Sunday night, we had stated that despite the fact that we hadn’t won the election, we felt however morally and politically winners. We supported a candidate who addressed the people with seriousness, dignity, sincerity, honesty and ethics. We supported a candidacy that dared to put forth genuinely progressive political positions and proposals before society; positions and proposals that were steps ahead and clashed with establishment perceptions that have plagued Cypriot society for years.
We are proud of the choice we presented to the Cypriot people and of the political proposal we submitted before it. Stavros Malas has raised the bar of political credibility, honesty and political culture very high. This honors him and all of us who supported his candidacy.
A great deal has already been written about the day after the presidential election. One thing is certain: AKEL is ready to play its role in opposition. It is at the same time ready to discuss with its members and society about the day after.
As the strongest force in opposition, we will support what serves the people’s goals and interests. We certainly are under no illusions. We have a radically different perception from Mr. Anastasiades on socio-economic policy. For five years he gave a great deal to the privileged few and took a great deal from the many.
As far as the Cyprus problem is concerned, he has proved to be untrustworthy and we do not trust him. He put his personal ambitions and considerations over and above the prospect of a solution to the Cyprus problem.
That is why our criticism will on the one hand be responsible and objective, but very strict.
The day after the presidential election finds AKEL strong and ready to wage new struggles. AKEL is consistently at the forefront of the struggles for the working people and popular strata; consistent to its long-standing positions and policy for Cyprus, the people, the workers and the people. AKEL is the powerful voice that will assert for everyone reunification, peace, progress and prosperity. With positions and proposals for an economy based on knowledge and innovation and generating growth for all.
We have already begun discussions to determine how we shall proceed on all fronts – in the preparation, enrichment and consolidation of our political proposals. In the reorganization and strengthening of our organizational mechanism, in the improvement of our communication work, in the enhancement of our relations with society and citizens.
Towards that end, we shall rally and utilize our best militants. We have a lot of young and capable cadres; we have a golden capital in youth. We have all the prerequisites for renewal and bold steps that will establish AKEL as the protagonist in the coming decades.
We know that a large section of society shares common goals, common aspirations and visions with us. For the reunification of our country, for the modernization and democratization of the state and society. With many of these people we waged the battle of the presidential election together; politicized people, but not party affiliated. People that for whatever reason have distanced themselves from AKEL in recent years. It is all of these people who are suffocating from backward outlooks that are keeping our society trapped in the old and rotten. We may have our own analysis of society and the economy, about the system in which we live, but we want to discuss with them, to listen to positions and ideas, and take joint initiatives.
The day after the presidential election finds us ready to discuss in a dialectical and calm manner our presence, role and intervention in the Cyprus of the 21st century.
History is ahead of us! And we are responding to its call!
