AKEL General Secretary A. Kyprianou on the day after
4th June 2021, Dialogos portal
The General Secretary of AKEL Andros Kyprianou expressed his intention not to stand for reelection to the post of General Secretary of AKEL at the upcoming Party Congress.
Speaking to state-owned RIK television, he said that he had announced his decision during the meeting of the Political Bureau on Wednesday and it was accepted. In fact, he noted that he took the decision several months ago.
As A. Kyprianou pointed out, AKEL operates on a collective and not individual level. He characteristically stated that “each of us has his own share of responsibility. I, as the first among equals, have my own responsibilities”.
Replying to a question as to why he did not resign immediately after the election result, he said that it would be criminal to do so and that it would lead the Party to look inwards, especially since the AKEL Congress is approaching, which will be called upon, inter alia, to elect a new leadership.
Referring to the election results, A. Kyprianou said that there is sadness and disappointment, but this in no way must lead to introversion. He also stressed that the Party’s collective bodies must discuss in a self-critical and sincere manner, without hiding things under the carpet.
Regarding the discussions surrounding AKEL’s ideology, A. Kyprianou stated that AKEL cannot be transformed into a labour party. More specifically, he stressed that, “I hear many say that AKEL must become a labour party. If this were to happen, the Party will lose its core. AKEL is a Marxist party that finds the strength to renew itself by following developments in society”.
The General Secretary of AKEL indeed added that AKEL is a patriotic party that is interested in issues of health, education and aspires to serve the interests of working people, workers, pensioners, young people and women.
“Our political opponents managed to convey the idea that AKEL is something anachronistic. This has nothing to do with reality. On matters of principles, AKEL cannot make concessions”, added Mr. Kyprianou.
Regarding the characteristics of the new General Secretary of AKEL, A. Kyprianou stated that in his opinion he/she should be a person with devotion to the principles and policy of the Party, to be honest, sincere and be able to form a synthesis from various points of view heard.
Finally, A. Kyprianou noted that the General Secretary of AKEL must be able to make openings to society, whilst also stressing that several AKEL cadres do have these characteristics.
As A.Kyprianou said, he himself will be present in the struggles AKEL will be waging both inside and outside Parliament and that he will stand by the new leadership of the Party.
