Interview with Harris Karamanos, AKEL Political Bureau member and Central Organisational Secretary

 

Sunday 15 May 2022, “Haravgi” newspaper

• The candidacy of Andreas Mavroyiannis can create a broad front of political and social forces
• Public debates that create an unproductive atmosphere and reproduce an image of confrontation and division are not an option
• Our decisions aren’t taken by any leader or leadership at some public relations communication fiesta or even by any show of hands
• Andreas Mavroyiannis’ pervasiveness and electability gives momentum and brings the achievement of the strategic goal closer

QUESTION: What is the AKEL leadership’s view on the initial reactions of the Party’s members or friends to the Central Committee’s decision to support the candidacy of Andreas Mavroyiannis in the upcoming presidential elections?

SS: …Our reaction is full respect for the opinions and concerns of all members and friends of the Party, who are invited, after hearing the rationale/thinking of the Central Committee, to express their own views freely. As we have already announced, at the end of the debate in the Party’s grassroots organisations, the Central Committee will convene to evaluate the discussions and results of the secret ballot in the Party base organisations. The final decision will be taken at a special pancyprian Party Conference, again by secret ballot.

The ongoing debate among members and friends of the Party is very productive and encouraging as regards the rationale put forward by the Central Committee’s proposal. We note with satisfaction the high level of dialogue underway within the Party, the sincere concern for the future of the country and the universal demand for progressive change.

QUESTION: Are you not concerned that public discussions, particularly on the Internet, are leading to an ongoing public debate which is damaging? How do you deal with and respond to phenomena that do not lead to decisions and action, but to a debating club in public?

SS: A Party of the type of AKEL neither refuses, nor rejects public debate. On the contrary, through its procedures it encourages free debate and dialogue within the framework of mutual respect and the projection of arguments. It is no coincidence at all that as with all the crucial decisions that AKEL has to take, such as on the presidential elections, it addresses its members and friends. This is what is happening right now.

In relation to the internet and social media, starting from the assumption that it is part of our life today, as AKEL we are following and listening to people’s concerns. It is the right of each and every person to express himself or herself and to take a public stand, just as it is of course our right and obligation to follow the Party’s orderly and fully democratic procedures.

Public debates which create an unproductive atmosphere and reproduce an image of confrontation and division are not an option for AKEL. Our aim is for decisions to be taken through debate and fermentation, which will pave the way for AKEL to move forward in collective and decisive manner.

QUESTION: What is the rationale/thinking behind the decision approved by the C.C. to support the candidacy of A. Mavroyiannis, which is being analysed in the Party Base organisations?

SS: The Central Committee’s position from the outset was that any personality chosen should be of unquestionable honesty, integrity, competence and experienced.

The integrity of Andreas Mavroyiannis is proven, since in all these decades of service to the country there is not the slightest doubt on issues of ethics and transparency.

We believe that the work/service of Andreas Mavroyiannis, in all the posts from which he has been called upon to assume and carry out, is recognised by everyone. He is undoubtedly a person of many skills – administrative and otherwise – which was confirmed by his term of office as Deputy Minister of State for European Affairs in the Demetris Christofias government.

Mr. Mavroyiannis is unwaveringly committed to the goal of a solution of the Cyprus problem, on the basis of a bi-communal, bizonal federation, with political equality, and shares with us the need for initiatives to be taken in order to put an end to the deadlock and for the resumption of the negotiations.

We believe that his electoral pervasiveness and electability gives him a momentum and brings the fulfillment of the strategic goal of changing the government with a social dimension closer. We are convinced that the proposal of the Central Committee is well documented/substantiated and offers us the prospect of winning the elections and having a President who is honest, free of dependencies and any baggage, who will combat corruption and entanglement/interwoven interests, restoring our people’s dignity.

QUESTION: You have been criticised by certain forces and circles that AKEL’s leadership is guiding developments seeking to impose the candidate it wants. How do you respond? How does democracy work, how are decisions taken in AKEL?

SS: In AKEL, democracy is a daily practice. Decisions in our Party are co-decided by our thousands of members, which is unique in the political affairs of Cyprus. We have invited our members and friends to speak freely and without dogmatism, because, to put it quite simply, no one possesses the absolute truth.

On such an important decision, the Central Committee, as the leading guiding body, has a duty to debate, reflect and set out the framework for the debate at the Party grassroots level. This debate is not taking place in a void, but within a political framework that was once again universally approved by the Party’s grass roots just a few months ago (at the regular Party Congress).

Much has been written and said, most of it, permit me to say, with a cunning purpose. The Party leadership has confidence in the collective wisdom and trust, in the sense of responsibility of the people of the left. It respects and honors the Party Statutes, the Rules of Procedure and the hundreds of our militants and members who are participating in this ongoing democratic procedure. This is the wealth of AKEL, unlike others. As far as AKEL is concerned, decisions aren’t taken by any party leader and leadership, at some public relations communication fiesta and even by a show of hands. Democracy in AKEL is not just a facade, but a living and two-way procedure.

QUESTION: Do you believe that the Party leadership can convince other forces and personalities to support the Mavroyiannis candidacy?

SS: We believe that Andreas Mavroyiannis is a truly cross-party candidate, with broader acceptance, who can appeal to society. Those who have worked with him only have the best things to say about him.

We are convinced that with his ethos, methodical way of working, seriousness, reliability and unblemished political record he will convince and be embraced by other political and social groups and personalities in the country. Various personalities from different political and social spectrums are already ready to express their support for him. Andreas Mavroyiannis has all the prospects of forging a broad front of political and social forces.

QUESTION: Are you planning a new round of contacts with opposition forces that have not yet chosen a candidate, or will you leave these contacts to the candidate?

SS: Of course we will again address the political forces. There is now an opportunity for the opposition parties that are seeking real change to come together rallying their forces around a common and truly independent candidate.

As Andreas Mavroyiannis is widely respected, we will address both political parties and movements, organised groups and forces, and all this after the final decision has been taken. After 5 June, when this decision will be taken at the Party Conference, Mr. Mavroyiannis will make his own contacts as Presidential candidate.

QUESTION: Will preparations for the organisation and planning of the election campaign also begin? When will the Party mechanism be ready to start the presidential battle? Do you believe that this election will be more difficult than other electoral campaigns and why?

SS: Without doubt every election campaign has its own degree of difficulty. We have almost 9 months to go before the presidential elections in February 2023. In these elections we will have to activate literally all the members of the Party. We are making our preparations at a central, district level and local level. We will need organisation, planning and work at all levels – political, organisational and communication – in order to achieve both the rallying of the Left and our opening up to the wider spectrum.

These elections must be victorious so we can bring hope and a perspective to every worker, to every young person. However, for this to become a reality, AKEL must work in a united, cohesive and focused way. All of us must stand behind our decisions with one voice and one fist and collectively work hard for their practical implementation. In this difficult electoral battle, every member, friend and new force of AKEL, every voter from the broader spectrum of the left, every democratic and progressive person has a contribution to make, in order to offer and project a real alternative perspective to Cyprus and our people.