Frixos Dalitis
The game is still in its infancy and for some it has not yet begun. What is certain, however, is that the political scene has begun to move at a presidential pace and the party has been set up. What moves will be made in the immediate future is the question of how it will eventually be formed and who will be the main players of the game. Many, however, estimate that before March everything will remain fluid, despite the fact that logically until then they will clarify a lot. And this is because by then DISY will have completed its procedures with the session of the Supreme Council which is scheduled for the 12th of the first month of spring, AKEL will go deep for its elected and DIKO will have taken its decisions .
It is estimated that at about this time the landscape will be clarified in relation to the intentions of Nikos Christodoulidis. The latter refrained from fully opening his papers in his interview with “F” on Sunday, however what he mentioned came under the microscope of Pindar. His references to dialogue on the basis of society and the party, are considered as a prelude to candidacy and they believe that the Foreign Minister has made his decisions, despite the fact that he does not clarify it. The environment of Nikos Christodoulidis does not comment on anything other than what the Foreign Minister mentioned in his statements.
It is a fact that there is an irritation and discomfort in the government camp about the backlog that is maintained, while also maintaining introversion in the party. Many are turning their attention to the Presidential Palace, waiting for the position of Nikos Anastasiadis. He himself avoids any comment at this stage, but it is estimated that after January 10 – the day of submission of candidacies for the anointing to DISY – the scene should be clarified by receiving an answer from Nikos Christodoulidis about what he intends to do. The rumors about his replacement, and in fact with the recruitment by Nikos Anastasiadis of Ioannis Kasoulidis, are particularly intense.
In his statements to the journalists, coming to the annual General Assembly of the Union of Municipalities, and being asked to say if there is any thought on his part to ask for the resignation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the event that he does not go down in the internal party procedures for the Presidential Elections. , the President of the Republic said that “what I know is that I will be President until February 28, 2023. Besides, I do not deal with those who are involved in the Presidential Elections”.
Asked if Nikos Anastasiadis had fired a shot at former Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulidis to take up the post of Foreign Minister, the President said “I do not deal with what is written. “My decisions are made on time and whenever necessary.”
Ioannis Kasoulidis himself, in a communication we had with him, replied that he did not comment on anything. Despite our insistence, the former Foreign Minister stated that he was not going to comment on this issue at this time.
However, the fact that he has not denied it is interpreted by some as an indirect confirmation that some contact was made. However, there are some who consider that these are leaks that aim to put pressure on Nikos Christodoulidis. The fact is, however, that since the candidacies will be submitted to DISY and in them it is not that of Nikos Christodoulidis, the Minister of Foreign Affairs will have to give an answer to the President as to whether or not he will be a candidate for the presidency.
On the other hand, the procedures regarding DISY are proceeding normally, with everyone's eyes now turned to January 10, the day of submission of candidacies. Beyond that, as stated by Pindaros, on March 12 the issue of presidential elections closes definitively and irrevocably for the Democratic Alarm.
The Pamporidis case and the conditions
At the same time, some reports about the Averoff-Pamporidis meeting are categorically refuted from both sides, while there is no intention for the two to meet in the near future. As for the former Minister of Health, whose name some are putting on the table for candidacy from the opposition camp, so far it is a given that no approach has been taken by either side. Information from the environment of George Pamporidis states that he certainly hopes that there will be an initiative and a movement that will be ready to clash with the status quo and change everything. In this case, the former minister himself could participate, not necessarily as the candidate but as a supporter of this effort which will be a real change for the place. A change not in faces and colors, as the same sources state, but in substance. So far, as they mentioned, there is no such thing to think about, while pointing out that it is not a priority for him to be a candidate.
Nikolas's conditions and the attitude of DIPA
Nikolas Papadopoulos reiterates at every opportunity and public intervention that DIKO will definitely be in the next government. In any case, the party's decisions will be taken in January at the Political Congress. All this time, the dialogue and the contacts of the leadership with the party base are in progress. The fact is that DIKO leaves the door open to everyone for a possible cooperation, under some essential conditions. In fact, it is now clear that Nikolas Papadopoulos has as a priority a cooperation with the opposition parties under his own candidacy. It's not an easy scenario, but under certain conditions it can run. Moreover, what DIKO circles note is that they are willing to discuss any other candidacy if it gathers more dynamics than the candidacy of Nikola Papadopoulos. At the same time, they emphasize that any cooperation should be based on principles and programmatic positions. The door of a possible cooperation with DISY is kept parallel and always open. Yesterday, Nikolas Papadopoulos was a guest on Sigma's noon show, stating that DIKO's procedures are progressing. The president of DIKO stated that before they see what will happen to the other parties, they must see what is happening with their own space and what the party base wants and what will be the proposals that will be formed. “DIKO could not participate in any government without being in priority, critical issues such as the fight against entanglement and corruption, tackling the slip in the Cyprus problem, the management of immigration,” he said.
It is noted that the party's Political and Statutory Congress is scheduled for January 23-24. In the context of the ongoing pre-conference dialogue, a policy proposal is being prepared that will be approved and which will be the basis for negotiations with the other parties for cooperation in the run-up to the presidential elections.
The attitude of the Democratic Party, which supported the amendment to the budget in relation to its colleagues in the Presidential Palace, raises questions. A move that was interpreted by many as communicative with messages to both DISY and AKEL. To Pindarou stating that it is not a given, and to Hezekiah Papaioannou that she is open for cooperation. However, the information states that this move put government officials from the DIPA area in a difficult position.
