Statements by the General Secretary of AKEL A. Kyprianou following his meeting with Stavros Malas
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 25th July 2017, Nicosia
First of all I would like to express my joy and satisfaction that we are again together with Stavros, although I want to clarify we haven’t lost contact in recent times. Stavros was always present at all the events of the People’s Movement of the Left in general, not just those organized by AKEL. However, I want to express my joy again because we find ourselves on this same front of struggle too – provided of course the Extraordinary Party Congress approves the decisions of the C.C to wage together again struggles for the benefit of Cyprus and the Cypriot people.
We had an open, frank and clear dialogue with Stavros and we shall continue this dialogue of course about the positions and principles on which he will base his political proposal for the forthcoming Presidential Elections.
I want to express my joy because I conclude that from the very beginning the integrity, honesty, ethos and abilities of Stavros Malas are widely recognized by Cypriot society itself. I would like to say that the name of Stavros Malas was approved by the overwhelming majority of our Central Committee, because we believe that Stavros can rally the best, express the majority, meet the visions of the majority of Cypriot society and gain its trust.
I am optimistic that if and provided that, as I said previously, the proposal that we have prepared as the Central Committee towards the grass-roots membership of AKEL is approved, then the progressive forces of the country will wage the battle to do away with the Anastasiades government.
I deliberately choose not to mention what is being heard that AKEL is supposedly attempting to repeat what happened in the 2013 Presidential elections. If this is their only argument against the candidacy of Stavros Malas, they will have a very hard time persuading the people and I say from now on that they will have a serious problem which they will have to deal with and that should worry them because we aren’t worried at all.
What is at stake and the dilemmas of the upcoming Presidential Elections are historic. We have repeatedly referred to them. They have to do with the future and prospect of Cyprus and the Cypriot people. Above all, with the solution of the Cyprus problem. It is obvious that things have reached a stalemate. We need to keep the hope for a solution of the Cyprus problem alive, not just any solution but one based on the long-standing principles we have agreed with the international and Turkish Cypriot community. We are fighting for these principles.
In addition, I want to say that it is of paramount importance to have a redistribution, a fair redistribution of national wealth. It is vitally important for our country to proceed to progressive reforms and to at long last with determination and effectiveness combat the phenomena of interwoven interests and corruption which have engulfed us literally.
In Stavros Malas, we believe that he reflects the candidacy which guarantees the correct handling of all these issues. That is why we will wage the battle more than ever united, cohesive and determined to take the big step forward; to win the future and our own tomorrow – the future of the Cypriot people. That is, to inspire the creative forces, the young generation, the working people and all those aspiring towards a different Cyprus. A peaceful and reunited Cyprus, an open society with an alternative productive model and a renewed political life.
Let me reiterate, Stavros Malas can guarantee that when and provided that he will assume the presidency he will handle these issues in the best way for Cyprus and the Cypriot people.
