Encouraging messages from the Party base organisations for Mavroyiannis

Statements by AKEL Political Bureau member Aristos Damianou

11 May 2022, ‘Astra’ radio station

The messages from the general assemblies of AKEL’s grassroots party organisations on the name of Andreas Mavroyiannis as a candidate in the upcoming 2023 presidential elections are encouraging, AKEL Political Bureau member and MP Aristos Damianou said.

Speaking on ‘Astra’ radio, he said that the friends of AKEL appear to adopt the recommendation of the Central Committee of AKEL after the analysis of its rationale. He noted that a lot is being said and written, making it clear that all opinions are respected as long as they are based on political facts.

A.Damianou said that AKEL proposes a winning candidacy which creates prospects for the forging of a broader social alliance with a progressive character. He added that there will be two DISY party candidates at the opposite end of the spectrum if Nikos Christodoulides does announces his candidacy.

The AKEL Political Bureau member underlined that Nikos Christodoulides was the closest person to the President of the Republic and was responsible for serious mistakes having been committed that gave an alibi to Turkish intransigence and the stalemate on the Cyprus problem.

Asked to mention the difference between the former Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides and the former negotiator as members of the government, he clarified that Nikos Christodoulides took political decisions, while Andreas Mavroyiannis did not.

The AKEL MP also expressed regret for the statements made by Achilleas Demetriades’ making hints about Andreas Mavroyiannis supposedly receiving two salaries, stressing that the smear procedure is not a sign of political culture.

At the same time, A.Damianou criticised the references made by DIKO officials that it would be difficult to resume the discussion with AKEL, noting that they agreed that the door should remain open.

Indeed, the AKEL MP said that the Democratic Party had proposed only one candidate, namely of its leader, adding that there was no response to a candidate that would be accepted by wider sections of society