Our thoughts are with the people suffering in Cyprus and around the world

Statements by the General Secretary of AKEL S.Stefanou

“The procedures for the next elections are at an advanced stage – AKEL will emerge strong…”

29 December 2023

The procedures for the formulation of AKEL’s ballot for the upcoming local government and European elections are at an advanced stage, the General Secretary of AKEL Stefanos Stefanou revealed on Friday during his visit to the annual festive gathering organised by the Central Council of EDON at its Offices in Kaimakli.

Asked about AKEL’s preparations for the local government and European elections, S.Stefanou said that the procedures are at a very advanced stage, adding that we are referring to collective procedures.

“I must say that our candidates in municipal elections, whether they are Mayors, Municipal Councilors, whether they are elected in local communities – either as community presidents or local community councilors – are decided at local electoral assemblies that will convene,” he noted.

S.Stefanou noted that local elections focus on local communities, their specific problems, and the need to elect people who can contribute to their local communities and solve the multiple problems that citizens face.

He added that the procedures for the formation of AKEL’s ballot for the European elections are also at an advanced stage, stating that “we have already gone through the sessions of our grassroots party organisations, where candidates and suggestions for candidates were proposed”.

S.Stefanou said that “we are now in the phase of discussing the nominations at a leadership level to formulate our proposals and we shall subsequently go to the Political Bureau and the Central Committee, which will have the final say”.

The General Secretary of AKEL said that he expected all these procedures to be completed by the first 20 days of January and then there is sufficient time “to address society in view of the June elections”.

S.Stefanou said that “we are doing this with great confidence and we are confident that AKEL will emerge stronger through this procedure”.

He added that “we want AKEL to be strong both in local government and in the European Parliament because it is our belief that a strong AKEL makes the hope and expectations for our country, people, society and workers, just as strong”.

“We need to continue the effort for the reunification of the country”

Continued efforts need to be made and struggles need to be waged in Cyprus to end the Turkish occupation and reunify our country and people, the General Secretary of AKEL Stefanos Stefanou pointed out.

Speaking to journalists, S.Stefanou went on to note that for this to happen, the Cyprus problem must be solved on the basis of the High-Level Agreements and the Resolutions of the UN, so that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latins can decide on their present and future together in conditions of freedom.

“We owe this to those who sacrificed their lives for our Cyprus, we owe this to the young generations and to those who will come because we do not have the right to let them live in insecurity and constant danger,” he said.

S.Stefanou pointed out that in these moments, just a few hours before the passing of the old year and the coming of the new one, our thoughts must always be on those people who are suffering, both outside and inside Cyprus and unfortunately, he continued, there are many people suffering.

“We see what is happening in our geographical neighbourhood, in the Middle East, in the Gaza Strip and in the occupied Palestinian territories in general. We have thousands of victims, unfortunately children and civilians, because of the criminal policy being pursued by Israel. We also observe a failure on the part of the international community to intervene to put an end to this policy of genocide”, he stressed.

The General Secretary of AKEL expressed the hope that there will be a ceasefire soon, as well as an agreement based on the relevant UN resolutions for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

“Let us wish for peace and cooperation to prevail throughout the whole world in general and since we are under no illusions I must say that this goal is realised needs continued efforts and struggles,” he noted.

“My wishes therefore are that in 2024 we should have a better world and a better Cyprus, but to achieve this goal we really need to wage constant struggles and make every effort in this direction,” S.Stefanou concluded.